SMK's
oldest, SoccerBoy, is graduating this weekend and I'm just as
emotional as if he were my own son. This is the boy who has spent
the last twelve years running in and out my house. Spending nights
and days on end, eating me out of said house and home, always saying
please and thank you, and never drinking my last green tea. He has
been The Transporter's constant companion, from the sandbox with
sippy cups, to gaming buddy, nerf-war team-mate, Pokemon trader,
run-to-7-11 for snacks and stay up all night with friend. He's
always been around. He's leaving.
Summer
job beckons, and he'll be out of town during the week. Then he's off
to school over two hours away, on a much deserved soccer scholarship.
He'll be GONE. I can't imagine our house without him. We gave up
on knocking years ago, so I'll be doing something, door opens, no one
seeks me out, and next thing I know, there's a deep-voiced, almost so
tall he has to duck into rooms, friendly boy hanging out. Note to
self: double what you're making for dinner.
We
have certain rules about friends being over when we're gone. He's
always the exception. “Well no friends except SoccerBoy, of
course.” He IS exceptional. It's not often these days that you're
blessed with your son's best friend being a (now) man of integrity
and tremendous work ethic, who encourages those with slightly less
ambition to DO stuff. “C'mon, let's clean up your room. Your mom
will be happy and I can fit a chair in here and actually sit down.”
“Dude! Do your laundry! I can't find the headphones!”
SoccerBoy,
I wish you all the best as you begin the next chapter in you life.
My door is always unlocked for you, I'll probably have some left-over
pizza, and your favorite burrito filling. Thanks for the years of
joy and fun you've brought to our house. Aim high, travel safe, and
let yourself in when you're home visiting.
~Tina
P.S If you don't know who SMK is, check out the nicknames tab above.
