It is really strange to think I will have a teenage kid. I'm not old enough to have one of those, am I?
Many people see the aging of their kids as a sign of themselves aging. They don't like it because it reminds them that they are also getting old. While it is a strange thing to see, I'm not one of those people.
It is bittersweet to remember those early days when Olivier was a little baby and toddler. He was a pretty easy baby and I learned a lot from his cesarean birth. Now I see flashes of adolescence and in some moments, flashes of adult maturity. He's still a good kid, too. :-)
I realized a few days ago that I am happy to see this milestone come. Yes, I am getting older. But that means that I am still alive! I remember early after my diagnosis reading stories of women who lost their battles with cancer and left young children behind. (I don't recommend reading these stories to the newly diagnosed....it was very upsetting, especially before I knew exactly how extensive my own cancer was.) I wept over these poor families to lose a mom at such a tender age. Leaving my kids is the one thing that I don't want to do. Personally, I'm not afraid to die. I know where I am going when this life is over. But I don't like the idea of how it would impact them not to have me around in this life.
I will never complain about getting older-bring on the birthdays! I also will treasure each of my kids' birthdays and being able to see the people they are growing to become. Thank you, Lord, for this time!
Yup, birthdays are alright after facing the possibility of not having more of them. Happy birthday, Oliver!
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