My Weasley is growing up. I just had a glimpse of him being his own person and living his own life–discovering and experiencing things as only he will.
He was playing outside in the spring sunshine and came running into the house whispering,
“Mom! I have a surprise!”
There was a sweetness and gentleness in his tone that made me completely attentive. The first thing that ran through my mind?
“Oh no, this is it, he has found some sort of wild pet and he is bringing it in the house.”
It was just something in his tone. It sounded very caring and tender. Next thought I had was
“Is it a mouse? A bird? A rabbit??”
He walked gently around the corner with his hands cupped together.
“Ok brace yourself,” I thought.
“Look mom! I found a caterpillar!!”
“Whew. Ok. Oh how cool, honey!”
I don’t know why I was so terrified of what he was delivering to me but the thought of a mouse or bird getting loose in the house was, well, ew. Then I realized that it was inevitable. He is finally a big kid–and a boy none the less. Creatures will find their way into my house. And that’s ok. When I was a six, I would bring newts and snakes into my mom’s house. (Maybe that’s why I was nervous!)
But what I really realized in the whole scene was that he is living his own life. He is discovering his own experiences with the world. I am not guiding him like I used to. Things like caterpillars weren’t a surprise before because I was there. I was guiding him in his play. We’d discover things like that together. In a way I miss it. I miss searching for ants and caterpillars and seeing the look on his face when we found one. But I am so thankful for having those moments with him. And I am thankful for him experiencing them on his own and for him growing up and having his own experiences. And I am thankful for him still wanting to share them with me.
I love being a mom!