13 Summers

When I held ASid in my arms 13 years ago, I told myself that I had 18 years with my baby boy! Recently, a mom mentioned a notion of "16 Summers"; she said that's how much time we have with each of our children! That was a bit depressing to know, but then it also makes the time I have left with them that much more precious.

Recently, on my first born's 13th birthday, I realized that that period may be even shorter than the one mentioned by that mom. I came to this conclusion when Craigley asked ASid about the best part of this summer; at first, ASid refused to respond and then, after a bit of coaxing, he spilled the beans!

ASid's top moment was the overnight trip he had at his best friend's cottage. His second top moment was spending time with some new friends he made over the summer. I am sure if he had listed a third top moment‎, it would have been the day when some of his school buddies came over for a day to our home. Momley wasn't mentioned at all!

At first, I felt a little unappreciated. After all, did I not make all those moments happen by communicating and arranging‎ with the parents of ASid's best friend and his other friends? It would have been nice if he had perhaps acknowledged with a simple "Thanks Momley for making those top moments happen!”; But then I feel like I am expecting my children to owe me something in return for everything I do for them?! And it ain't so. I am happy to telephone, email and text parents and arrange for my children to spend time with their friends. At the end of the day, when my children are happy...I am too, and that's my reward!

But I guess it is OK to feel a little underappreciated sometimes...as long as that feeling lasts a couple of minutes and I forget about it afterwards!‎ What I do remember and need to remember always is that ASid has been a wonderful child for 13 years and I am thankful for the 13 Summers I got with him!