Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Happy 10th Birthday, Big G
Dear Big G,
I can't believe that you are 10 years old already. Sometimes, in my head, you are still the little happy baby above. The little girl who thought I was the greatest mommy in the world and the most fun person to be with no matter what.
Times are changing. I'm falling slowly down on the list of "People you'd most like to hang out with". The good news is I'm still on the list...for now.
Most people talk about these early years as "the best time of their lives". I think that's because everyone likes to feel needed, useful, loved. As our children grow, they need us less and we feel, for lack of a better word, less.
For me, I want to look back on this time and say "It was one of the best times of my life", just not THE best. I think you and I have a lot more bests to look forward too.
Don't worry, I'm not fooling myself into believe that you will rush home from school to hang out with me when you are a teenager. I wouldn't want you to. After all, I'm trying to teach you how to live life without me, which, in my opinion, is the measure of a successful parent. You need to learn from your own mistakes and I plan on being around to help you pick up the pieces.
Am I looking forward to the first time a boy breaks your heart? Of course, not. But I'll be here to listen when he does.
Am I looking forward to watching you pull out of the driveway on that first solo drive? No. I'm feeling anxious just thinking about it. But I'll be here to listen to whatever story you come up with about how you dented the side and lost the fender.
As you approach this new double digit phase of your life, I hope you remember these five things:
Even when we argue, and we will definately argue, I will always love you. There isn't anything you can do to change that.
True friends are rare, like gems. They like you for who you are, not for who they can make you be.
If you want to be better at something, whether that is violin, softball or math, you must put forth the efffort. Without true effort, you are just wasting your time.
Never forget the importance of human contact. In a world filled with blogging, email, twittering, and phones more and more like mini computers, it is more important than ever to know who your neighbors are and to interact with more than just a screen.
Count your blessings. Try to learn to be happy with what you have and not to obsess about all the things you don't.
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
5 random thoughts:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAY GRETA!!
Just popped over to say Happy Birthday Greta, hope you have a wonderful day, I hear mom is taking you for a pedicure, wow, it's worth being 10 when you get treats like that.
love from England
Enfys x
Wow looks like a great birthday. Happy Birthday.
This was just beautiful! I loved it. It made me quite teary ... and wonderful advice. I'm going to link to this and make you my featured reader tomorrow. I think all parents should read this!
Great great post! Happy birthday Greta!