My oldest son graduated from high school over the weekend. The day snuck up on me. It turns out 18 years isn't long enough to prepare for a milestone of this magnitude. When you're a parent the days are long and nights are short. It seems you are always busy. When you have a newborn you long for the days when he can sit-up and sleep through the night. Then, you tell yourself parenting will get easier when he can communicate and walk. It doesn't. When you are caught in the middle of Target with a toddler having a temper tantrum you long for the days when he will go to kindergarten. Getting your child to do homework becomes a daily battle. Throughout the years you will will taxi that kid to games and clubs. The minute you walk through the door and take your shoes off he will call for a ride home. Then, he gets his driver's license. He spends a lot of time with his friends or girlfriend.The phone doesn't ring as much. The house is a little quieter. Suddenly, you long for the sleepless nights, complaints and even a Common Core math worksheet here and there. You know there were plenty of good memories in between the chaos, but wonder if you enjoyed it as much as you should have. Did he? The answer came before graduation when my son was presented with an award and gave a quick speech. "I want to thank my mom for always being there for me....even today when I told her 15 minutes ago about this award ceremony."
