Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tug, tug, tug

Will it ever stop tugging at my heartstrings to see my kid taking her leave of me?

Don't get me wrong - I am perfectly happy to let her go. Thrilled, most mornings. I couldn't wait for her to leave this morning, as she was cranky and copping a major attitude. I can confidently assure you of my heartfelt wish that the bus arrive NOW after an hour and a half of the eye rolling, selective hearing (seriously: she was looking right at me as I clearly and crisply enunciated the words "Please clear your plate right now" and all she did was continue to look at me, utterly blankly, as though my mouth had not just opened and her native language poured forth) and "Whatevering" that was tossed my way, not to mention the hands on the hips, dramatically heaved sighs coupled with mutterings under her breath and the occasional "Mo-ooom!" for that final, finishing touch to completely stomp all over my very. last. nerve. Hoo boy, was I ready for her to head off to school and leave me in the relative peace and quiet of the house.

And yet... watching those skinny, little legs poking out from under the ginormous, Princess backpack disappear up the steps and onto the bus, and then seeing the tiny, tiny hand waving goodbye and flashing the "I Love You" sign out the window, even as her face turned away and she began merrily chatting with her seatmate.... tug, tug, tug on the heartstrings once again. Gets me every time.

So, she's in first grade now. I'll be totally over the tugging at the heartstrings by middle school, right? High school? College? *sniff* I'm the tiniest bit afraid I won't be, and also the tiniest bit afraid that I will.

8 comments:

Creative Junkie said...

In a word ... no. You never get over it. She'll always be your baby, even when she's a total slob and a complete brat and screaming at you to stay out of her life because you don't know what it's like to be her, blah blah blah.

You just never get over it.

Andy said...

Awwwww!

{{{{HUGS}}}

But I am glad I'm not the only one with a kid with Attitude!

LMAlphonse said...

That part doesn't change. Because even when they're a sullen (I mean delightful) teenager, you look at them glaring (um, gazing) at you and you can't help but remember that tiny adorable face from these early years.

Honestly? I think it may be part of the way nature ensures our kids reach adulthood.

Cristin said...

I don't think the tugging ever ends...

Love the "I love you" signing!!!

Ash said...

I so hear you with this one. Yesterday, Youngest was in one of those moods. I almost felt bad for the teachers, but when I picked him up, they raved about what a great day he had.

Hmmm. Stinker!!

("The Time Traveler's Wife" was a good book - make sure you can sit down and read it in chunks though. NOT kid-friendly, read a paragraph, tend to need, pick it back up. At all.)

Anonymous said...

I agree with Lyla. The reason they're so freakin' cute now is so they survive the Massive Eye Rolling and Dramatic Exit Followed By Door Slamming stages.

Sweet post. I bet Kiddo is as cute as can be with that big ol' backpack on!

Unknown said...

No - it doesn't really ever end. My babies are 20 & 26 and I still get a little choked up when they head back to their respective "homes". Kiddo certainly knows that she's got you on that edge :)
I'm sure you've read Robert Munsch's "Love you Forever". It says it all.........

Nora Hampton said...

wait until she leaves for college....or worse military....then you'll know the meaning of tugging at the heartstrings!!