Wednesday, June 13, 2012

I survived (but just barely)

At my son's preschool graduation last night, I saw kids who looked like this:

Is it over yet?
(Image courtesy of Michael & Christa Richert, rgbstock.com)


and this:

Why are all these people staring at me?
(Photo by Tiene Alles, rgbstock.com)


and a lot of them that looked like this:


Yay!
(Image courtesy of Billy Frank Alexander, rgbstock.com)

And all of them were completely adorable!

However, I, as predicted, looked a lot like this:

Where have all the years gone?
(Image courtesy of Michael & Christa Richert, rgbstock.com)

and used up my share of these:

*sniff, sniff*
(Photo by Shari Weinsheimer, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures)

Surprisingly, though, my tears weren't sad tears, at least during the ceremony. Some of the kids did the funniest (and sweetest) things as they walked into the gym, and I couldn't help but laugh until I cried. One little girl skipped down the aisle, her ponytail flipping from side to side; a little boy with spiked hair loped to the front of the gym, his hands in his pockets (I nicknamed him Rico Suave); and another little girl speed-walked to her chair, a wide grin splitting her little four-year-old face.

My son looked a little worried as he waited for his turn, but once he started down that aisle and heard the applause, he was smiling from ear to ear. I was so proud of him!

Image courtesy of Chris
rgbstock.com
When we got home, however, it was a different story. I lost it then because all I could think about was how quickly these five years have gone and how recently it seemed that I was holding my newborn son in my arms. So much has changed since then, and I know so many things will continue to change, but that doesn't make the changes any easier. Last night I cried the sad tears.

However, when my wonderful preschool graduate saw that I was upset, he went to his room and came back with his beloved Mickey Mouse doll, which he handed to me. "Mama, you can sleep with him tonight if you want to," he said.

And you know what? I did. And today I feel much better.


Have you ever been comforted by a child?

54 comments:

  1. I love how kids just have this magical way of knowing how to cheer people up by doing the sweetest things! Sounds like you have a very special little boy! :D

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  2. I love how children put themselves out there for us. This past weekend I lost my cat I've had for 10 years. It was only for one day, but I was very upset and tears started to come. My 4-year-old stopped what he was doing, and said "It's okay, mommy. I will pat you on the back until you feel better."

    I'm not ready for him to grow up.

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    1. He's so sweet! What a lovely boy!

      I'm very sorry about your cat. *hugs*

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  3. What a sweet story, your son is a real keeper!

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  4. Aww, sweet little angel, how thoughtful he is to give you his Mickey! That's one of the reasons we love them so much and we get so addicted to them. For life!
    I loved the Rico Suave thingy :)

    Hugs

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    1. That Rico Suave kid was adorable! I can already picture what he's going to be like as a teen. :)

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  5. I think sons sense a different type of emotion from their moms, especially if they are close to you. My boys seem to sense when I am highly anxious and they act out accordingly. But if I'm very sad or tired, they have kind of learned to respect that and give me some space before coming back in to love me up. And the best is them telling me that, despite my losing weight, they would miss my mommy belly that they loved so much. It was almost worth quitting the diet, but not quite.

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    1. Your sons sound so sweet! I really do think there's a special connection between mothers and sons. Both of my kids are really affectionate, but my son is especially so. :)

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  6. Ah, what fun that must have been! I love that age! I have two sons, age 23 and 21. My oldest gives hugs, but my 21 year old gives hugs AND kisses on the cheek and I love that!

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    1. I hope mine are still so affectionate when they're all grown up. :)

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  7. Glad you survived! How sweet of your son to give you Mickey for the night. :-)

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    1. He's the cutest! (I might be biased. LOL)

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  8. What a wonderful story! I love that your son shared his Mickey Mouse with you! He's going to really charm them in kindergarten! Julie

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  9. That was so cute! I hope my daughter's that nice to me when she gets your son's age. :)

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  10. What a sweet post!

    I'm glad you feel better today. :-)

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  11. I can remember Sissy GIrl doing a similar thing! Even all grown up , she texts me sweet messages if she thinks I might be lonely or down. Nice kids we have, heh?

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  12. Once when my son was going through that horrible phase when they're two-three with the tantrums and all the rest--one day I had just had it! I stomped off, locked myself in the bathroom, and cried. He followed and screamed right outside the door--until he noticed I was crying. Then I heard Dagan's little voice from the crack under the door--"Would you like a hug?"

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  13. My younger son senses things easily and the other day when my depression was really kicking my rear, he made my coffee, toast and a banana and brought it out to me on my bedroom balcony (I was sunning my sadness away)
    Love those boys!
    Mine are 21 and 17 and I remember both preschool graduations like they were yesterday.

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    1. That's a wonderful son you have. :)

      I get sad when I think about my kids growing up, but I'm glad I'll always have the memories. (And I'm writing things down so I don't forget later on.)

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  14. That is so cute! What a great little kid your son is, letting you sleep with his Mickey Mouse doll. And, you did it, too. Go mom!

    Funny thing is, I kind of remember my own kindergarten graduation. It was literally 30 years ago, but I still sort of remember the little ceremony and getting a diploma to hold, and even taking a photo sitting the swing rings on the playground. I wonder how all that time has passed since then.

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    1. They didn't have graduation when I was finishing kindergarten in the late '70s. I do remember bits and pieces of that year, though, and like you, I wonder where all the time has gone.

      My son was so sincere and sweet when he told me I could sleep with Mickey. I just couldn't say no!

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  15. Ohhh! That's why I stay in kindergarten...I get to do that every year....oops...excpet I have to go to first grade next fall :(

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    1. Aww... I remember reading your post about that. Is there any chance you'll get kindergarten back in the future?

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  16. What a sweet little guy you have! Glad you survived the graduation.

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  17. That is the sweetest thing! And so cute about all the kids. Last year, my back was really hurting and I went to the doctor's for it. I could barely move between standing and sitting. Trying to get up from a chair to go into the examination room, I had a lot of trouble with the pain. My little guy came over to me and hugged me and said, "It's okay, mama. I love you." It was the first time he told me he loved me without being asked to do so.

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    1. Aww, your story just melted my heart! Kids can be so sweet. :)

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  18. My youngest graduated from high school last night. Even though I felt older, I was cheered somewhat that she was off the family payroll.
    But then it occurred to me she starts college in the fall.
    I have an interview for a part time job Monday morning.

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  19. Awwww... what a sweet story! You are so blessed to have such a great son.

    Andrea

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! He's a wonderful little boy. :)

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  20. Awww! This is something a mother can truly understand! How sweet and precious. Your little guy sounds like an angel and I'm glad he shared his MM doll. That's awesome! My little guy is the same way. He's 9 now, but he's always the one to take care of me when I'm sad or sick. I love it!

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  21. Your son is such a sweetie! It does sound like a cute graduation!! Definitely treasure these days; I keep saying it but it does go by so fast! Your son definitely has compassion to reach out to you and share a beloved toy with you!

    betty

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    1. My heart melted when he did that! I'm trying to hold on to all of these moments--writing about them helps. :)

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  22. Aw..that was so sweet! And yes, the years do fly by, but you're already appreciating them now, so just continue to do that.. enjoy each stage, take pictures, and do lots of reminiscing!

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  24. My eldest niece (6) has always been very caring and sensitive to others and she always says the sweetest things, the middle one (3) is less expressive but occasionally she will say something and it means so much more, the other day she said "You're my bestest friend in the whole wide world"! I am sure that you will have many more happy tears, but it does go by so fast.

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  25. I remember holding my kids when they were babies. Now they're 18, 16 and 12. It's sad knowing they're growing up, but at least I can talk with them now instead of at them.

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    1. You're right. Thanks for reminding me of the wonderful parts of every age and stage. :)

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  26. what a sweet heart you have! so tender! and you are enjoying your little ones as directed, because they do grow so fast. do you scrap? its therapeutic!

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    1. I've never tried scrapbooking, but maybe I should. Thanks!

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  27. awwww that is the sweetest thing ever!!!

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  28. I join all the comments here...what a precious son to recognize your sadness and bring his Mickey. Those moments are priceless. Do you ever post pictures of your children? They sound so darling, and you are such a sensitive, devoted mom. I would love to see them. :-) So glad other bloggers have encouraged you, lately, too. This is a great community, I'm finding myself. You are blessed!

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    1. I'm not comfortable posting pictures of my kids online. I don't want to risk it, what with all the not-so-good people out there--the ones who can access my pictures without my knowing it, etc...

      Thanks, mare! I agree; this blogging community is the best, and I have wonderful kids (if I do say so myself)!

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