The Journey To A Warm Sunny Morning
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 6:47AM Last night was just hard parenting night.
The boy was studying for his science test, which to us seemed like he was studying for his MCATs.
The daughter? She was spouting sentences beginning with “Can I have…”faster than Lindsay Lohan’s right hand in a jewelry store.
The wife? She was looking at me with a tear in one eye.
Me?
I tried to find my happy place.
And once I’m there, I just know that one day…
I’ll slide into my favorite chair on the back porch, in the sun, placed in just the right spot where I perch my feet perfectly enough to rest my head back just enough to feel the warmth of the morning sun.
The smell of coffee and the amazing sounds of South San Gabriel engulf me.
It’s the year 2022, my youngest left for college a week earlier.
The dining room is filled with family picture books, empty bottles of wine, wet floor-boards from last night’s tears, and the wife is still sleeping upstairs comfortably.
When I open my eyes I see the boy walking towards me with his bike, sporting his grey helmet saying, “come on dad!! Let’s go for a ride!”
His innocence and love to share life with good people immediately warms me.
And when I close them I see my daughter in her pretty fancy red dress running up to me, turning around and saying “zip me up daddy!”
Her raw emotion, passion and love makes me want to just hold her.
I’ll reach down, grab my cell and send them both just simple text knowing damn well they’ll see it hours later when they finally creep out of their college, stank-filled beds. They’ll probably shrug it off, maybe take a second to respond, possibly post it on a future “I wish my parents didn’t have a damn cell phone” blog site.
But the hope is that when they see my text: “I love you. Rock life and make yourself proud. We already are.” – they remember…
The tall goofy bastard who tickled them early in the morning until they peed themselves.
The stories I made-up late at night based on any three things they wanted.
The fact their mother and I were there…for everything…proudly.
And I’ll miss them.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be glad they’ve moved on and badly wishing they took the damn dog with them.
But I’ll miss them.
Everything leading up to that warm sunny morning…is the shaping of lives and the creation of memories.
Reader Comments (19)
Coming from a current college student, I promise they'll miss you and those memories too.
Great post - I'm still in that "drowning" phase of parenthood, where it takes all of my efforts just to keep m head above water. The thought of both my kids walking is too much, nevermind taking care of their own bathroom needs, going to school, dressing themselves, driving . . . ack.
Assholes keep growing up. Why?
Such a sweet post! Through all the madness & times when we wanna poke our eyes out w/chopsticks, it's easy to forget that we will one day be wishing we had all these crazy moments back again. Thanks for making me take a minute to think about that. :)
I love this! Now I'm feeling all sentimental.
The fuck? Why you gotta make a girl weepy in the morning? Nicely done. I love that you'll be sitting drinking coffee, reflecting. I'll be ducking down in my car making sure they don't see me checking on them.
Ugh, thanks for making me tear up - I've got things to do, man! What a lovely and terrifying post.
This makes me want to five my two a hug. Www.copperetiquette.wordpress.com
Sweet...I've kids too And will miss them like crazy but what I want to know is: 1. Where can I get that damn time machine so I ship 'em now and 2. How do I make an appt to have you tickle me till I pee as well? ;)
It wasn't long ago that I was a college student and as much as I remember saying I wanted to be miles & miles away from my parents I cried for the first 2 weeks. They will certainly miss you & probably even more.
Made me a little teary too. Great post! My daughter is only 3 and I am already sad about her going off to college.
Great post. I laugh at this post because my dad still tries to text me and I still shurg it off and think, I will text you later old man. ha!
I love this. Perfectly said.
This. Is. Awesome. I hope you share it with them one day (whether the real share, like in your scenario, or just to read). I just stumbled over to your blog. After hopping blog after blog, I am not quite sure now. But I am really glad I did. Off to better have an even better look around. Cheers!
http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/
Fabulous. Just fabulous. From your mouth, to God's (and your kids') ears!!
make me get all teary, why don't ya, ya poohead...... :)
No words, dude. No words.
Wow.. a sentimental post. I was feeling sentimental this week as well. Son of little Johnny is graduating from high school this year and his only sister, Daugther of little Johnny is done with H.S. in 2 years. It's wierd - they don't need me to get up and make their breakfast anymore but I still get up with them KNOWING that these days are numbered.. AND THEN I will be able to sleep in UNTIL THE "SOAPWORD" dog wakes me up for a pee!
Hey there, nice post. Mine are 10 and 13 and those days are suddenly seeming a little to close for comfort. In fact I just wrote a song to my dauighter about her growing up. Treasure the memories my friend they really do pass by quickly!
Steve
You've gained a new reader, beautiful post.
Thanks for the Twitter follow.
-@CaraRolinson