18 years of learning

My son turns 18 today. That's monumental. I admit, I am having a hard time with it. He thinks it's because my 'baby' is going to be, at least legally, an adult. In reality, I wonder if we, my husband and I, have really shown him what we need to show him to survive in life. More than fishing and hunting, I hope he learned from his dad the necessity of providing for family, for working for what you want, and enjoying a day in nature ore than a day inside. More than just listening to us reading out loud when he was little, I hope he heard the love in our voices and realizes now, also, how important it really is to have a person who read to him when he was younger. More than throwing a ball, and batting a ball, I hope we have taught him the importance of being with his children, when he has them, and that love doesn't come wrapped under a tree in December, but comes wrapped in sweats with a bad right arm and an even worse catching ability. I know I shouldn't worry - he is pretty deep when he has a conversation with someone - such as the other night when he said he will never understand why the government and people in general continue to send monies to other countries for their poor and homeless and starving children, when we have the same right here. So when he talks, I know he saw, he listened, he observed and made choices. In the long run, I must say, he's made many right choices and only a few bad ones. He has put us through a lot, don't get me wrong, but there was more good - much more good - than bad. But you know, I'm going to miss that boy - that boy who insisted was Tommy the White Power Ranger...or Batman...or Robin....that boy who memorized Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory so he didn't "have to watch it anymore." That boy who just so totally stole my heart and who has now become this young man who has dreams and desires that he may pursue elsewhere - someplace that I will only be welcome to visit, but not stay. No, they really don't stay young forever. They really don't - so if you know a little boy who has truly captured that part of your heart you didn't even know existed - take a lot of pictures and truly hold on to every day as if it's the last he will be that age and realize it is. Make a lot of memories and within those memories, teach a lot of lessons. He really will be watching and listening and observing. Even if he is dressed like a superhero.