9X2

My oldest child will be 9 in three months.  No biggie.  It's not like 10- the double digit birthday, or 13- the teenage birthday, or even 16- the birthday where you lie to your kid and tell him they changed the law and you now have to be 21 to get your driver's license.  Nope, just 9... Except it's not just 9.

It's 9!!! I had a revelation the other day.  My mad math skills made me quickly realize that 9 is half of 18.  Still not seeing it? It means my son has likely spent half his years living under my roof.  He's left babyhood, toddlerhood and little boyhood in his dust and is simply "boy."  He's the boy formerly known as "my baby."  One foot out the door, the other foot soon to grow man hair.  His first half may have been filled with Thomas the Train, Transformers, and Legos but what will this second half bring? Independence, braces, girls, puberty (say it ain't so), and... probably still more Legos.

I know he's still young and a little kid in so many ways.  However, I have the inside scoop on "blinking" and I can tell you it's highly over-rated.  You see, I blinked and he started walking.  I blinked and he started school.  I blinked and he grew adult teeth.  So I just know these next milestones are quick blinks away.

His soft, undamaged kisses will be replaced with scratchy quick pecks and hugs that require me to reach my arms up instead of down.  His sweet little boy voice will turn to crackly out of tune sounds that evolve into baritone-like confidence... But it will still be him.  He will still be the guy who can cause my heart to feel both the greatest joys and worst fears. He will always be my baby and my boy.  And who knows, maybe when I say, "I love you," he will learn to say more than "Okay," or "I love you," as monotone as possible with his eyes rolling.  Maybe age and maturity will bring non-coerced responses and heart-felt thanks.  Maybe. But for now I'll grab a hold of 9 with all my might and savor every moment, every triumph, every life lesson, and make this "second half" a great game and a strong finish.