A scoresheet from mini-golf, a smelly pair of gripper socks from the trampoline-jumping place, and three quarters. That's what I saw when I opened the door to the backseat of my car last night.
I call it the "aftermath," as there are always things left behind to clean up when you live in a world surrounded by boys.
Yesterday, Ryder had several of his friends over to celebrate his 15th birthday. Three teenage boys, having fun, laughing, being incredibly silly and just enjoying life as I shuttled them from place to place. It was fun to listen to them and I was grateful that they were so comfortable with me that they could be their real selves.
It dawned on me that this could be one of the last birthdays where I will have to do the driving. Yikes!
All three of these boys started high school together this year. High school! I am still reeling from the shock of that. I have literally watched these three grow up. Looking at them and seeing their faces turning into the men they will be is freaking me out just a little bit.
I know it's cliche and everyone says that they grow up too fast, but there's a big difference between saying it and actually living it.
I miss when Ryder was little and I could snuggle him, and it makes me sad to think I will never be able to do that again. But, I actually think this is my favorite age right now.
Here are just a few of the things I love about these teenage years:
The conversations we can have about grownup stuff. It's amazing to hear his thought process and see how his brain works. We don't always agree, but he generally has a logical argument.
The way he owns so many more responsibilities in his life and how he usually makes the right choices (or learns from the wrong ones).
The big, strong hugs. Those are my favorite!
The fact that he can reach things that are up high now, and carry the heavy stuff for me.
The way he is with his team when he plays sports. Hearing the compliments from his coaches and other parents makes me so incredibly proud.
The opportunities to see him out in public and watch him interact with other people. Yesterday, before his friends came over, we were at Walgreens and a woman behind us in the parking lot dropped her receipt. He pointed it out to her, and then picked it up and gave it to her. She said "Your mom is sure raising you right!" Silly me almost cried. It's the little things, people!
I know in just a few short years he'll be off on his own, and I hope I will have helped give him enough tools to make it in this big, scary, amazingly imperfect world.
When that day comes, I will take one of those big, strong hugs and hold him as long as I can before he goes.
I'll look around and survey the aftermath from his childhood. The memories will extend well beyond socks, quarters and scoresheets.
And I will smile...and send the smelly socks with him :-)