Sweet 16

Dear son,

I am not sure son, if you could touch the tears rolling down my cheeks as I write to you. No reason, but let me tell you, letting go is hard, but seeing you fly high, proud and true to yourself, is going to be worth all the tugs at my heart ...

A couple of weeks more, till you peak your teens. Time seems to be slipping through my fingers, as I see you turning into a young man right before my eyes. I want to hold on to the kid a little longer, although I have to admit, I enjoy our "adult" conversations a lot. 16, oh sweet 16.... enjoy every minute of your youth dear son, every second live fully. Work hard, party hard , ( I have a feeling this will back to bite me in coming year) fall in love and dream .... lots . Every reality begins with a dream. So just don't stop dreaming and any setbacks hold you down for long. Life is just beginning for you and soon you will be able to lead "your" life your way. I am still deciding how much I can hold on to you, how much I should lead you. But who is to say I know everything? I am a fallible human, prone to mistakes... so son make your own mistakes, create your own story .

I  realize  in the past year you have grown more responsible. I can't tell you how much it gladdens my heart when you make that special cup of coffee for me, or when you are ready to make dinner, just because you know I am tired. Every minute I spend with you is precious, because every minute you are evolving, changing into this wonderful person I am proud to call my son.

Life will happen, you will falter. You will be confused and unsure... that is okay. I am there for you. Everytime when you look behind you will see me standing at a distance... far enough to not canoodle you , but close enough for you to see that no matter what you do, you are loved.

I have no advice to give you , you are wiser than me. I am tempted to go back to my old ways and start what you call "lecturing",but this time round I am just going to have faith in my parenting and resist from giving you any advice. Except for one ( come on I am allowed one). As you are preparing to enter the workforce, all I can say is work with all honesty , work hard and  be proud of your achievements, but still be humble enough to learn more. Nobody likes a "know it all". See that wasn't too bad .

Soon you will be an adult, no younger a juvenile, no more mercies will be shown to you. It scares me, because for me you will always be my baby. Whatever the future holds for you, just remember that you are loved... no matter what, no matter where you are, you just have to give a shout and I will be there.

I am not sure son, if you could touch the tears rolling down my cheeks as I write to you. No reason, but let me tell you, letting go is hard, but seeing you fly high, proud and true to yourself, is going to be worth all the tugs at my heart ...

Happy 16th birthday!!! Enjoy your prime time.... every minute.. every second.

Love,
Mom.