As A Boy Transitions Into A Man

This is the first article that I ever had published, written in June 1992. As my son's Halloween birthday approaches, my thoughts naturally turn to him. I reflect on the child, adolescent and young man he has been. When I say that he rarely gave his Dad and me reason to worry, it is the absolute truth. On the other hand, we learned some distressing news years after the events. The one common aspect of our relationship has been his wicked sense of humor. Oh yes, and that he is a writer. He, however, has had an actual book of prose poetry published and many poems in many, many magazines. To know him is to love him, and to watch him move forward into his life's destiny was very bittersweet. This is my first published story.



~ Soon my child will be leaving home, not for a week at camp, not for a weekend at a friend's house, but perhaps forever. He isn't the first child ever to grow up and move on to his own life, but he is MY first child to leave our nest called Home. And like every mother before me, I find myself marveling at what has happened during those preceding years and how they have passed so quickly.
   The image of his first uncertain tiny steps is still vivid in my mind. For the past five years those steps have developed into a sure and successful approach that precedes soaring high jumps that challenged the high school record and will assure a promising future in college sports. Most recently those long mature strides directed him across a stage where a diploma was placed in his hand, giving him one key of many to the doors to his future.
   When a small child, he had a passion for learning and would come home from school excited about the day's activities. Throughout the years there were Honor Rolls, The Olympics of the Mind, Challenger Classes and advanced courses in school. Our home became a refuge for creatures great and small, from dogs and cats, to lizards and a ferret. Sentimental and kind-hearted, the eventual passing of these beloved pets caused him to redirect his career goals from veterinary medicine to some other work involving animals.
   In Junior High School he was introduced to the world of track. Although he hated having to run laps, he would do whatever was necessary to build his strength and improve his skills as a high jumper. I remember his excitement when he jumped 5'8" to capture his very first 1st place finish in his initial varsity track season. Despite illnesses and injuries, he would finish his high school track career with a very respectable 6'6" personal record. He wore his much-deserved "Varsity M" jacket, with his nickname "Sky" embroidered on it throughout high school.
    To gain some insight into what we parents refer to as "the REAL world", our son worked part-time   during a portion of his junior and senior years, and the summer in between. He didn't like the way his jobs sometimes interfered with his social life, but he couldn't resist the lure of that cash. His reaction to the deductions for Social Security, taxes, etc. was pretty universal---initial shock and disbelief, then resolve. Through school, sports and working he has acquired a wonderful group of friends. They come from a variety of backgrounds and heritages but share one important bond. These are well-rounded, polite, and respectable young adults. During their visits to and stays at our home, I have come to know and really care for each of my son's many friends. As they enjoy this last summer of their ending youth together, I hope that they will always remember how truly special these times have been.
   In September our first-born will leave home to begin college and his adult life without our day to day involvement. He will make decisions about his future and he will have both successes and failures for which he will ultimately be responsible. In the end, he will have a unique and wonderful life because he has prepared himself well with the skills learned from experience. May he and all our sons and daughters live happily everafter.
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