No matter how you look at it, growing pains the grown. (photo http://www.nwdailymarker.com)
My mind drifted towards giraffes. I realized it was on account of the abnormally tall family of four behind us in line at Fish, our favorite restaurant in Sausalito. To avoid any doubt, the family was human and the restaurant served seafood.
While the parents looked down at the cash-only menu, the two boys lurked just behind them with less than military precision, desperate to fill out their lanky frames. I would have started with a burger joint, but wasn’t my place to say. On my aging gauge, I guessed they were just north of the terribly awkward and unavoidable teenage years.
Their knobby knees and curled up toes hid behind discount store jeans and clunky sneakers. I couldn’t blame their parents for skimping on the designer wear: the hem of their jeans landed at the halfway point of their loose tube socks.
They were clearly growing too fast for their parents to keep up.
And that was when the giraffes disappeared and reality set in. Even my voice cracked. My son is just five weeks shy of his first birthday, and I’m already having a hard time keeping up.
With the most amazing Sturgeon tacos on the planet in front of me, I realized that for the rest of my life I’ll be a step behind my son as he grows up too fast. No amount of cash can stop it and trying to slow it down is an entirely different kind of animal. One thing is for sure, so long as I can watch him grow, any vantage point is fine by me.
Categories: Creative Writing
eternal Domnation 
That is exactly right. My children are grown and I faced the same situation, always being a step behind as they forged ahead with their life. In truth it is still the same and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m so glad you visited my blog so that I could find yours this has been great. Susan
Thank you, Susan. I am so happy to have found your blog and look forward to following your posts going forward! Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment!!!
I don’t want to burden you but you have received the ABC AWARD the Absoluteley Brilliant Content Award (my rendition)
http://themotherofnine9.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/ta-da-two-more-awards/
Wow, thank you!!!! Let me take a look…
Well said (written :)) They do grow way too fast. All we can do is admire their youth while we can, I guess.
Thank you! Really appreciate you leaving a comment and I’m so happy you can relate. It’s been a fun ride – and there is a long way to go 🙂
Great descriptions of the ‘giraffes’! Yes, I know exactly how you feel about your young one. My two are in their mid- to late-twenties and I can’t believe so much time has passed since they were babies. Now, I have a two-year old grandson who changes every time I see him. We must enjoy each moment we spend with them because it will never be the same again. Time stops for no man . . . or child. 🙂
Isn’t that truth – time certainly does not stop, and there isn’t a darn thing we can do about (squeezing my eyes tight only makes it go faster since I usually fall asleep). It’s really hard to look into the future at when my little one will be the age of yours – and grandchildren! Oh my. In the meantime, I’m just trying to enjoy every minute of it – even those minutes that contribute to the bags under my eyes!!!
I have two growing boys and if I listen very closely…I hear them growing right now. They are endless pits of hunger. I come from tall people. When I was in elementary school and taller than most I complained to my Mom who replied, “Look at your Dad…you can’t breed rats and get mice.” I am often sad that every day this is the smallest my guys will ever be again.
Oh man, you’re not helping! Haha – I love that – “I’m often sad that every day this is the smallest my guys will ever be again.” That’s exactly what I was getting at. I suppose there is some truth to Benjamin Button – and one day they will grow so old that they shrink. Your Dad’s quote is great, too. Well, I guess this is the cost of all the joy being a parent brings – nothing is free!
They always do grow too fast for the parent to keep up:) Very well done!
Thank you. Glad to hear we aren’t alone 🙂