Birthday Thoughts
Over the years, I’ve hosted my fair share of parties. My absolute favorite ones have been for my son’s birthdays. We’ve had everything from Kipper, Dinosaur Train and The Magic Treehouse themed parties, to chemistry, Star Wars, ancient Egypt, and Percy Jackson. We’ve even held birthday parties over Zoom (thank goodness for Among Us, Gartic Phone and Jackbox).
This year, when I asked my son what he’d like to do for his birthday (which was this week), it was clear the days of elaborate party planning for him are over. No more themed crafts or games, no more archery in our backyard (though that’s due more to safety than interest at this point as he and his friends are practically adult-sized now). More reminders that when we grow, we also outgrow.
On my son’s birthday, we look at photos from his life, celebrate favorite memories and share things we love about him and how and who he has become (and is becoming). Thankfully, that family ritual hasn’t changed much over the years. There’s something so sweet about it, the celebration of all that has come before, all that is, and all that is still being created. And I can’t help but be filled with gratitude for this miraculous thing called life. This choose your own adventure of discovery and creation.
They say when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. I don’t think I felt especially “ready” when my son arrived. Of course, I was excited to meet him, to see him, hold him, and get to know him. I’d prepared space in our home for him, but I had no idea at the time how much he’d change my life. And I will say it’s been for the better.
Despite the shifting seasons and interests, from what I can tell, you never stop being a parent, not really. And I’m glad for that. Parenting has been one of my greatest learning experiences and I’ve been blessed beyond measure to witness and guide my son. And to have been witnessed and guided by him.
Being his mother has taught me so much about the iterative process of becoming, the power of play, the freedom in surrender, the beauty of being with what is, the joy of being present in the moment, the magnitude of love…
Thankfully, love isn’t something we ever outgrow.