Time passes and yesterday you were a little boy
how did you get
so very long?
pointed toes
must stretch
the still of sleep
Philip left on Saturday for two weeks hiking and rock climbing with Outward Bound at the Pinnacles National Monument. It's not his first time away from home, last year he went skiing with my brother in Canada and sea kayaking in Alaska. So he's been away farther and just as long.
The difference is more subtle. It's how he badgered me to get forms in on time. It's how the communication with the program coordinator was through email or cell phone. Philip's email or cell phone. It's how he shaved his head (Yes, Christina, all that gorgeous hair is gone) against my advice - the sun. His skin. It's how I in turn badgered him about wearing his hiking boots more - his feet. The blisters. It's how he packed up his bags himself and I didn't second guess.
He will be fifteen next month and within that towering frame, layered among the hip hop and sagging jeans, one can still catch glances of that sweet, small boy.
Stay hydrated, wear your hat, and use that sunscreen.
Comments (16)
they grow up so fast!
Posted by erin | June 18, 2007 1:10 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 13:10
What a cutie.
I can't stand the heartbreak of it all. Can we slow it down?
Posted by Michelle | June 18, 2007 1:10 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 13:10
If the next nine go as fast as the previous six, we'll be there in a flash. And I am so not ready. Why do the years seem to accelerate exponentially?
Posted by laeroport | June 18, 2007 1:34 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 13:34
Oh this pulls at my heart.
Posted by Mama Urchin | June 18, 2007 2:51 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 14:51
Beautiful, Sonya. Beautiful. Your sons is lovely (I mean, handsome... or is that an old lady word?) and he's got one amazing mom.
Posted by sulu-design | June 18, 2007 4:45 PM
Posted on June 18, 2007 16:45
seriously? i can't handle it. my oldest is six. and it's already going way too fast...
Posted by robiewankenobie | June 19, 2007 4:15 AM
Posted on June 19, 2007 04:15
Geez, Sonya, you're making me cry. 15 is only nine years away...
Posted by Jen | June 19, 2007 10:31 AM
Posted on June 19, 2007 10:31
oh... well now I feel bad that I encouraged him to shave his head more thoroughly (it'll grow back!)
Posted by Emily | June 19, 2007 11:47 AM
Posted on June 19, 2007 11:47
Oh, what a beautiful post! I have 3 boys, and I hope I can always glimpse that "little boy" in them!!! My oldest is 13 - and he is growing so quickly....
Posted by Dianne McGrath | June 19, 2007 7:08 PM
Posted on June 19, 2007 19:08
I'm gonna miss that mop. What a man.
Posted by xtina | June 20, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on June 20, 2007 08:54
what a touching post! i love what you say here, a reminder {for me} to stay present for my little one, i have a feeling that i will blink and she will be 14.
Posted by Veronica TM | June 20, 2007 2:35 PM
Posted on June 20, 2007 14:35
I'm piping up to say "those were they days!" My handsome boy is now 20 and off to college far away in the fall (after a degree from community college)...sigh.
Posted by Rose | June 20, 2007 6:34 PM
Posted on June 20, 2007 18:34
How exciting for your son! Reading your words here reminds me to take note of the little things with my little guys (and girl!) now. Man, how time flies!
Posted by amy | June 22, 2007 4:33 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 16:33
Lovely poem, Sonya. I keep saying lovely here, but it fits.
Posted by Lizbon | June 22, 2007 9:59 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 21:59
this just makes me want to cry!! your words are so, so sweet.
Posted by kristin | June 26, 2007 9:32 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 21:32
waaaaahhh! I am crying over here knowing that inevitably my little boy will be a little man! NOOOO!
Posted by claire | July 2, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on July 2, 2007 09:32