
Adolescence….
There will come a day that the simple act of blow-drying my sons hair, using my hands to patiently and deliberately tousle his soft locks, after a new haircut, will not calm his nerves, so he can face the world, feeling confident.
There will come a day that he will look to me no longer to tickle his back gently, before sleep.
Someone else’s hands will caress his back until he finds sleep and the slow, soft sound of his breathing, will be because, she brought him comfort.
There will come a day that he will lock eyes with me in public, then will pull away from my steady gaze toward another to help him on the first day of school.
His stance and demeanor will soften when he smiles back at another’s face.
There will come a day that he will have gone all day without talking to me and he will not feel the pull of attachment that he does now.
He will have learned to navigate the world without my guidance.
He will have learned that he can rely on himself.
He will have learned through all my gentle hugs, loving and adoring looks, as my eyes exude unbending maternal love, through countless cuddles and kisses and silent recognitions, that he is treasured.
That he is never really far away.
That our bond is unbreakable.
This love paves the way for new loves, life experiences, joy.
There will come a day for all of this.
Today, though, he sits across my lap and shares his thoughts.
Today, he trusts that I am his safe place.
Today, holds tomorrows promises and wonder in the soft sound of his voice as he drifts off to sleep.
