Dear Taylor,
You graduate from 8th grade today, an accomplishment you seem to be taking in stride.
“Mom! It’s ONLY 8th grade promotion” was your exasperated plea when I ruled out basketball shorts, a white t-shirt and high-top tennis shoes for your graduation ensemble.
I’ve written about some of the less sterling parts of your middle school years. However, similar to the awful scent of a full diaper, the sleepless nights, and the seemingly endless trips around the living room while doing a jiggling, elephantine walk to stop the damn wailing- times that were trying- now seem like inconsequential parts of those wonderful baby years; I’m sure the memories of the eye rolling, the back talk, and the generally poopy attitude will fade and I will remember your stellar qualities. (Well, let’s hope so!)
You have opinions. You read the newspaper and pay attention to the news. We can discuss “real” issues, which I whole-heartedly enjoy.
You are intelligent, reading books at a rapid pace and pick up on math and science concepts easily, something your peers notice and envy. You kill me at Scrabble, something I should have predicted when you started beating me at checkers in the 1st grade.
Most important, you are kind and affectionate. At fourteen, you seem to view that as a weakness, but it’s not, and will serve you well in the future.
Taylor, I am looking forward to the next four years, full of school, football, chess, girls, driving, (okay, I’m not so much those last two) and family. While I mourn your greater independence, I will also relish each triumph and I am confident that you will grow to be a wonderful young man.
I love you, my little Tay-ly and I’m so proud of you.
May 24th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
You left me with tears in my eyes! Amazing how the difficult times fade as we recognize what miracles our kids are.
May 25th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Awww, me too. I am so glad we have shared the experience of our kids growing up together. I love you and your family and you make me a better mom. My letter would say, Dear Taylor, I remeber when you rolled down the stairs and when you would bite Eli every day. You have become such a smart , caring, and funny young man. And you have the best mom EVER.