As my eldest son, Ethan, prepares to celebrate his 11th birthday next week, I find myself grappling with an unexpected wave of emotions. It’s not just the typical challenges of navigating pre-teen mood swings or the awkwardness that comes with entering junior high. No, what truly unsettles me is the stark realization of time slipping away.
Recently, during a conversation at my local church with a friend whose oldest son is about to turn 14, I was struck by a profound statement. He shared that he paused his Ph.D. program because, in his words, “I have four years left with my son at home, and I can’t afford to waste this precious time.” This hit home for me. With only seven years left until Ethan embarks on his own journey, I couldn’t shake the feeling of urgency that was washing over me.
While I had been contemplating pursuing my own doctorate to bolster my career at the university, the math was staggering. Seven years feels like a blink, especially when I reflect on how swiftly the last 11 years have flown by. It reminds me of a poignant line from the film Field of Dreams, where Ray Kinsella learns that we often overlook the most significant moments in our lives until they’ve passed us by. I can’t help but feel like my own journey as a parent is racing by in much the same way.
The memories flood back: the day Ethan came home from the hospital, his tiny frame nestled in his crib, the countless nights spent reading stories about adventurous monsters, and those bittersweet moments when he grew too big to carry. Time has a way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? It feels like mere moments ago when he was my little buddy, and now I’m already confronting the reality of his impending adolescence.
Sure, I have two younger children, but there’s something uniquely special about the firstborn—the one who shatters your routine and reshapes your perspective on life. Just when you feel like you’ve got a handle on who they are, they morph into a new version of themselves, and you’re left scrambling to adapt again. It’s a cycle of growth and change, and at times, it’s overwhelming.
As I contemplate the prospect of Ethan heading off to college, it feels as though I’m standing at the edge of a cliff. I know our bond will endure beyond the walls of our home, but the thought of the next seven years passing as quickly as the last leaves me with an aching sense of urgency. I want to seize every moment we have together, to immerse myself fully in our relationship, even if it means putting some of my own aspirations on hold.
However, I wonder if Ethan shares that same sentiment. Perhaps as we dive deeper into his teenage years, we’ll both find ourselves yearning for space. But for now, I’m determined to cherish these fleeting moments and make the most of our time together.
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In summary, the fleeting nature of time is a powerful reminder that we must embrace the moments that truly matter. As I prepare to navigate the teenage years with Ethan, I’m committed to savoring every second.