15 Years Ago . . .

Fifteen years ago, Man-Child was born.

Fifteen years!

Where has the time gone? 

My baby; is now a Man-Child.  How has this happened?

Granted, for the most part, he's a wonderful young man.  But where did the chubby,little guy go?  The one with the Fred Flintstone feet?

The one who giggled and cooed.  And hugged and kissed with abandon?

I love my Man-Child soooo much.  He's fairly independent.  He's very strong in his convictions.  He's true and loyal.  He is outgoing (for the most part) and friendly.  He is polite and kind.

But . . .

He's not my sweet little guy.  The one with chubby little cheeks, legs and hands.  The one who turned to me for comfort.  The one that looked to me for everything.  Where did that little guy go?

Yes, being a "mommy" is hard.  It's exhausting and gut-wrenching.  I had no idea what I was doing more than half the time; but sometimes. . . I miss being a mommy.

Now, I'm just a mom.  Sometimes, I'm even just a "ma"  When did this happen?  I don't like it one bit.

I'm not old enough to have a fifteen year old living in my house.  I'm really not.

But . . . I look at the young man he's become and think - maybe I haven't done such a bad job after all.  Maybe, with luck, he'll become the man he is promising to become.  Maybe, I've done my job right.

But still . . . where did my little guy go?

Happy Birthday, Man-Child.  Mommy loves you!