One minute … he’s growling at me because I ask too many questions.
The next minute … he’s sitting down beside me telling me all about his day.
One minute … he’s rolling his eyes at whatever I say to him.
The next minute … he’s engaged in my every word.
One minute … he’s rushing out of the car, as fast as he can, when I drop him off at the LRT.
The next minute … he pauses before he opens the door of the car to get out. He leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek telling me that he loves me and that he hopes I have a great day.
One minute … he’s holed up in his room, the sound of laughter escaping from under his door as he online games with his friends.
The next minute … when I knock and open his bedroom door, he’s silent.
One minute … we’re sitting in the food court, his head is down as he shovels his food in, oblivious to everyone around him.
The next minute … he’s taking money from his wallet and buying a coffee for a senior citizen in the line-up at Tim Horton’s.
One minute … he’s complaining when I ask him to help shovel the snow in the driveway.
The next minute … he’s grabbing the shovel from my hands – telling me that he’ll do it.
One minute … he’s fighting with his 18-year-old sister, teasing her and pushing all of her buttons.
The next minute … he’s downstairs in her room – sitting beside her talking and laughing and telling her that he loves her.
One minute … he’s complaining that we have nothing to eat in the house.
The next minute … at the grocery store, when I ask him what he’d like me to buy for him to eat, he says, “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ve got stuff at home that I can eat.”
One minute … he’s hiding his phone, pulling it into his lap when I walk by him.
The next minute … he’s asking me to watch a TikTok with him.
One minute … he’s unsure of everything and tells me that he can’t do anything right.
The next minute … he oozes confidence.
One minute … he’s moaning when I ask, “Have you done your homework, yet?”
The next minute … I find him doing his homework with zero questions and no prodding.
One minute … he’s asking for money.
The next minute … when I offer him money, he declines.
One minute … he’s sitting beside me in the car, completely silent with his AirPods in.
The next minute … he and I are singing 80s tunes at the top of our lungs.
One minute … he’s the moody teen that I am used to.
The next minute … he’s a stranger.
Reflecting back over the past year, I never knew who I would encounter at any given moment. Would it be my teenage son or would it be the stranger?
I did enjoy seeing that stranger. He gave me glimpses into the young man that my son was turning into.
As each day passes, I am seeing more and more of the stranger and less and less of my teenage son.
That stranger – that vibrant, confident, intelligent, compassionate, motivated, driven young man??? He is my son and I could not be more proud of him! Love you, Jax!!!
If you enjoyed this post about your children growing up, please read In The Blink Of An Eye.
I also encourage you to check out my Teens page for additional posts.
Are there other Mommas you know who might enjoy this post? Share by clicking one of the icons below.
Mommas supporting Mommas!!!