Long Journey, Short Time

Photo by Antonio Silva

Last night we had a family birthday party for my seventeen year old. As the inevitable birthing story was somehow, again, recounted and he cringed over the details, I caught my breath. While it has been every bit a seventeen year journey, the time is suddenly so short. How did I give birth to this man? Trite because it is true, it doesn't seem possible that this whole human was once the tiny little wrinkled monkey-bird I first laid eyes on.

For a second I wanted to, consequences be damned, gather him back into my arms like when he used to let me. I failed to reach out and grab my erstwhile baby because my heart wouldn't have been able to withstand his recoil. Lucky me, my chance came at present time when the birthday boy gave me a generous XBOX 360 hug of gratitude. I clung on for an extra millisecond. Call me a mercenary opportunist but my time is running out and I'll takes what I can get. Before I know it, he will be gone.

Happy Birthday Miguel, I love you, I hug you, I gather you into my arms and keep you in my heart. Forever.