Thinking Out Loud
Sands of Time

May 19, 2014
By: Diane Szczepanski

Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them.
Mitch Albom

I don't tend to be an overly emotional kind of person, but I am here to tell you that this day, on my son's last final hours of being 17 years old, I'm having a rather large 'Time In A Bottle' sentiment hit me smack in the face.

Wasn't it just yesterday I was watching Shrek with him for the umpteenth time, teaching him to tie his shoes, making sure he had a clean uniform for game day and persuading him that Santa has a "special" key?

The thing is, when you are in the parental trenches, time seems anything but quick.

Middle of the night feedings are as endless as the dirty diapers to dispose of. Worry fills days that seem unending.

Will they walk and talk on schedule, will they make friends when they start school, will they break a leg with each new extreme sport they try? Will they make good choices in high school?

Then just as we relax a bit, it hits us.

Our "baby" is suddenly going to turn 18, an official adult and we can't remember time ever having gone so fast.

Time in a bottle...if only it was that easy to save.