Missing Nick

What was missing in my life? You! I lived many years without you, not knowing what I was missing. One day a surprise came to us at an unexpected late- in- life date, it was a baby boy. He smiled at us with blue eyes and bald little head, and we were complete. I treasured the cuddly feel of you, fitting into my arms so well, your weight seemed just right, to pack you around every day, even as you grew and grew. You added an element to my life that had been missing. I now learned to slow down, stop at playgrounds, push your swing and sit in the one next to yours, leaning back, looking up into the crowns of swaying trees. Taking walks, delighting in gathering fallen red maple leaves, watching bugs and birds. Frogs and crawdads appeared in our bathtub, I emptied your pockets while doing the wash of rocks, seashells, dried katidid shells, sticks and marbles. I learned that stepping on jacks at night while going to the bathroom hurts. On your first fishing trip you accidently hooked a duck and cried because you thought you hurt it. I already knew of your compassionate heart. You and I laughed and cried watching " Free Willy," "The fox and the hound" and "Alladin." You brought joy to my life. I learned that it is exciting to watch you play soccer, I cheered and hooted and watched from the bleechers, while you ran your little heart out, I watched for signs of your asthma acting up, but luckily you seem to outrun it. On the first Halloween you were a little smiling pumpkin that I pushed in the stroller, but soon you were running with your buddies, dragging a pillow case filled with candy, and I had to scurry to keep up with you. On your first day of school I was nervous, I had to leave you with strangers. Several of us Moms were hanging around the hallway peeping into the door's little window, until they made us leave. Then came field trips, help with homework, I was "room mother" to be near you and help, and visited you in the cafeteria at lunchtime on "Parent's day." Suddenly, you are taller that me! The braces came off, and you have a summer job, and you are very good with it, I am proud of you. You now have a Highschool Diploma and are getting your driver's licence, but you will always be my little boy, and I will love you forever. Love, Mom