This past Saturday morning, my son took his driving test.  I have to tell you, that test is a very stressful time as a parent.  Not stressful because your child will be driving, but because you want them to pass so much, and because you have to sit in the backseat during the test, and you are not allowed to say a word.  Actually, I don’t know if I have been silent for 30 minutes outside of sleeping, since I learned how to talk!

In the end, after parallel parking and driving on every type of road, my son was handled his ‘you pass’ certificate.  We then drove off to the Secretary of State Super Center that is open until noon on Saturdays.  At approximately 11:08 Saturday morning, my son had his license in his fist, and a huge grin on his face.

As a mom, I was so happy for him.  Everyone asks if I am really nervous about him driving and I suppose I am.  But I think I am more excited for his new freedom and opportunities.   The process of watching him prepare to get his license, and then actually get his license, made make me think about is all his milestones, and how quickly it all goes by.

I thought back to when he was a baby.  This kid had no desire to be mobile.  He just wanted to be read to, even as an infant.  I used to worry because all his ‘contemporaries’ were all over the place.  Meanwhile, he was sitting on the couch with me, holding ‘Go Dogs Go’.  He was late to crawl, walk and talk.  As a matter of fact, he destroyed the competition at a crawling race at a company work party.  Of course, he was 15 months old and had crawling mastered by then, while his opponents were 5 months younger.  No matter, he still got a medal and a picture with Simba.   That race feels like it could have been last weekend!

More milestones came and went over the years.  Me crying as he went to kindergarten, me crying when he won awards, me crying over a million different things.  In a way it feels like a little stab in the heart with each milestone that is reached because you know they are that much closer to leaving the nest.  It isn’t easy when you like the nest the way it is!

I know it is cliche, but kids do grow up in the blink of an eye.  When you have a baby, people always tell you how quick it will go, and they are right.  Bringing the babies home from the hospital seems like yesterday, literally.  I miss my youth, I miss being needed so much, I miss a lot of things.  However, I have gained a tremendous amount;  I have gained a more adult relationship with each of my kids, and have had absolute joy in watching them become the people they are today.  I appreciate each of their sense of humor, their views, and appreciation for life.  I learned how they have compassion and want to help others.  Had I known how much I would gain from each phase of their life, I would not have dreaded them growing up as much as I did when they were little.

Parenthood is unlike any job you could ever have.  You have the opportunity to help shape a life and then set it free.   I am still in the process of raising my kids, but I am so excited for their futures, and look forward to watching it all unfold.  I am keeping my fingers crossed!