Rear View Mirror Reflections

My oldest son out for a ride when I was doing the same.

Captured him in the side rear view mirror riding away.

This image pulls on my heart strings for it was just a couple of weeks

before he left for his freshman year of college, thousands of miles away...

Our nephew just turned 13. His parents were happy, but interestingly enough, they both focused (as I am sure the child did) on the fact that now he is a teenager. This conjured a little anxiety. Been there, done that, still have that to look forward to again. This was my advice to them:

Having teenagers is really no different from when they were newborns or toddlers: Pay attention to subtle changes, try the best you can to keep them out of harm's way, and give them lots of love (even when ~ especially when ~ they say they hate you). Tune into the noises (more groans and mumblings now than coos and goos), trust you know best when to just let them cry, and take lots of pictures (even if they always grimace). On the plus side, they will no longer fight you about naps and there are no diapers to change. Some tough things on the horizon: cars (don't know which is worse: them driving or wanting to ride with a friend), romance (something apparently you know nothing about), and watching them leave for college with such glee that you confuse it as them wanting to leave rather than just wanting to grow up.

And, remember, I am always there paving the path ahead of you, hopefully making the journey a little smoother and always willing to share the road map (even if I am just making it up as I go along).

* * * * * * * * *

Some More Rear View Mirror Reflections Observed a Couple of Days Later

I drove into town with our youngest, the 10 year old, the other day. He immediately jumped into his usual seat in the back, even though the front passenger seat was available. I was just about to invite him to move up when I realized that I should enjoy this moment while I can. He'll be "up front" and even in the driver's seat before I know it.

And so the story continues...