A few days ago, Noah received a birthday party invitation for the first of his buddies to be turning ten. (TEN!?) Reading the number on paper made me keenly aware that my own wonderful oldest son will be turning ten this year too, a fact that at times hardly seems possible. How can it have been that many years already since he came into our world and changed it in a myriad of happy ways forever?
For some parents, noticing the subtle passing of their young ones' childhood phases brings feelings of sadness, with thoughts that they will never again hold a warm, sleeping baby in their arms, or watch a curious, clumsy toddler make exciting discoveries about the world for the first time. I rarely think about my growing boys in a wistful way, though. While I look back with a sweet fondness on their baby, toddler, and preschool years, I don't really wish to return to them, because knowing my boys as they are now is a marvellous experience itself. At nine years old, Noah is still very much the same kind-hearted, ingenious little boy I loved in his early years. My delightful toddler has grown into an incredibly wonderful older boy, and with each year that passes, I realize more profoundly how fortunate I am to be his mom.
My toddler Noah who so sweetly tended to his stuffed animals, feeding them breakfast and dressing them in warm little outfits, is now a caring fourth grader who shows genuine concern for other people. He often kindly considers his sensitive younger brother's feelings, and takes classmates who have been hurt by others in the school yard under his wing, getting them help and making sure they know they have a friend. My charming little five year old entertainer, who loved captivating crowds with incomprehensible knock-knock jokes, now delights in making funny movies with his camera, and keeps us all laughing (or shaking our heads!) with the ludicrous scenes he dreams up. (He recently had me in stitches when he decided to put his socks on the cat and film the comedic results. The cat, however, did not appreciate his sense of humour!) My little bookworm Noah, who was always so very inquisitive and amazed people with his in-depth knowledge about dinosaurs and space at a young age, has grown into a thoughtful scholar who never stops seeking information about fascinating subjects. He dreams up intelligent inventions and is wonderful to engage in very adult-like conversations. In ways that I couldn't have even imagined in his earlier years, Noah, at almost ten years old, has become a truly fascinating, endearing, admirable young man. My heart seems to grow deeper with love for him with every day that passes.
Sometimes, I'll admit, I don't feel old enough to be the mom of a boy nearing ten years of age. Those early years seem to have flown by, taking with them all traces of chubby cheeks, tiny toes, and little arms wrapped around my legs. They have left in their place, though, a beautiful boy who is mature beyond his years and who never ceases to amaze me. He's a very compelling reason to celebrate the present.
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