It's holiday time again and the kids (and teachers) are off school for a whole 6 and a bit weeks. Jaja is absolutely loving it...not because he hates school any more than the next kid but he's reveling in the fact that for the next month and a half he is 'a free agent', 'off the hook' and (within reason) 'his own man'!...Free to do whatever he chooses, whenever he chooses regardless of time constraints, agendas or deadlines. Please don't read this as 'bad parents letting their child run wild without supervision' because it's nothing of the sort, we just trust him to use his own internal guidance system and common sense and he's developed a knack of always doing the right thing. If ever he's not sure what action to take in any given circumstance he's not too big for his boots to come and ask Mum & Dad what to do?... and we just love that about him!
All this 'free-ness' has made me realise how his growing up has afforded more time to Trudie and me as day by day it becomes more and more apparent that our 'Baby Boy' is fast becoming a man and where as in the past the summer holidays meant we had to co-ordinate a 6 week child minding programme that was far more technical than any of his school time tables, involving Grand Parents and re-arranged work schedules we are now able to enjoy a much more relaxed summer.
Both Trudie and I have said at every stage of Jaja's life "Oh this is the best time yet"....Obviously when he arrived all new and shiny as a bouncing baby that was the best time because after 12 years of trying we wondered if we would ever be blessed with a baby. As he began to toddle around and talk that was the best time because he was now 'interactive'. When he started Junior school then High school and guitar lessons, again these were the best times as each new stage in his life came along bringing more facets to his developing personality.
As a parent I get great satisfaction from watching how my son's life is unfolding in front of him, knowing that I am playing a part and contributing towards him having a wonderful life. Trudie will tell anyone who wants to know (and many who don't) that "He's the nicest person I know"... but I don't think she takes anywhere near enough credit for guiding him that way because after all that she endured just to have him she could be excused if she tended to 'mollycoddle' him but I take my hat off to her (well I would if I wore a hat) as I stand back and admire how she perfectly balances the multiple roles of Mother, friend, nurse (when required) and teacher to him while being the perfect wife to me. Though that said the day she gave birth to the best thing that ever happened to me was 'job done' as far as I'm concerned....I could ask for nothing more...
Today I had a day off work and just a few years ago that would have meant relieving Grandma &Grandad from their duties and taking Jaja to the park to play on the swings and slides...how times change....this morning we went to the gym for a workout together, now aged 14 he's taller than I am and he's building a great set of 'guns' and the biggest indication of his growing maturity was the fact that we didn't need to fight over who was going to shower first...it was me, not because I was pulling seniority rank but because he likes to have his shave before he showers. This really is the best time...but I guess this wont be the last time I ever say that...
No comments:
Post a Comment