With an eight year age difference between my oldest and youngest, he is finishing up things she hasn't even started yet. My ten year old had his last Cub Scout meeting last week. Of course she hasn't started scouts yet. He was happy and chatty when he got home telling me about their pizza party. After he went to bed, I heard sobbing coming from his bedroom. Between gasping sobs, he finally told me he was sad. Sad to see it end. Oh buddy, I know that feeling. It is hard. It is tough to say goodbye to a great group of boys who had so much fun together and truly enjoyed each others company. I get that, I do. And of course the mom in me doesn't want him to be sad, it hurts to see our children hurting.
My wise husband reminded me it is part of life, part of growing up. Hubby is right. But I don't have to like it. We want these little people to grow up and be amazing and yet when they do, it is flabbergasting. How can that bright, sweet, funny boy be my precious first-born baby? Who said he could get tall enough I don't even need to bend over to hug him? Yes, I know, as I am reminded at least once a week from someone older than me when we're at a store, "enjoy it, they grow up so fast and before you know it they'll be teenagers". (This is when they roll their eyes and give me a knowing look).
Tomorrow is the Blue and Gold banquet. An annual celebration for the Cub Scout pack and THE big event for the Webelos II scouts as they graduate from Cub Scouts and, if they choose, cross over to Boy Scouts. My 10 year old decided to cross over and give Boy Scouts a try. Unfortunately, for various reasons, no one from his den is going to the troop at Sacred Heart so he decided to go it alone. (He'll be with other boys his age who are joining the troop, just no one from his den). I am so proud of him for going for it! These little people of mine just never cease to amaze me.
It will be an emotional and exciting day for him tomorrow (and me!) as he says his goodbyes to Den 3. And like so many things in life, this ending means a new beginning.
