Nostalgia!

Well...  I just watched my son drive off for his first night of Firefighter training... 

 It seems like yesterday I was holding this little squalling bundle in my arms..  I swear, I just put him down for a minute, turned around, and when I looked back.....  where did 18 years go??  18 years? They flew by in the blink of an eye...  and there, in place of my little blue eyed, soft, sweet angel stands a 6'3" tall 18 year old man...  I used to look down at him in my arms... now, I have to crane my neck to look UP at him!   I can see so clearly his first attempt to crawl...  and then,, he was standing at the coffee table, he let go, and took those first few tentative steps towards me...  all smiley and drooling...  his first word... all mumbled...  but pointing at me -  mommy.  His first day of kindergarten...  bravely walking up the steps of the bus, turning around, smiling and saying "bye Mom!"  Lord how I cried after that bus drove off!!

From a squalling 21" long, 6# 12oz bundle... to a 6'3" 18 year old man.  18!!!  I'd give almost anything to have my little bundle back!!  But, I have the memories!!   And, now he's found his "calling" in life...  to help people in some of the darkest moments of their lives...  A firefighter! Wow!  I'm so proud of this kid!!  So very very proud!!

And now... while he's gone... I'm going to go cry for a while!! Ohhh they'll be happy, proud tears...  but... well ... Nostalgia!