Four Years ago

I wrote a post to celebrate the birthday of my 16 year old son. Today as he leaves his teenage years and turns 20, this post considers how he has grown up and changed. He is no longer that boy / man, but pretty much all grown up.

On that day in 2007 I wrote these 13 things about him:

1. As he told me today, he is bigger than me, and reminding him that I knew him when he was a tiny babe in arms (and before that actually if you count when I was pregnant) does nothing to change that.
2. I no longer appear to have the right to know exactly where he is and what he is doing at all times. After all I have no need to worry ‘he will be alright’!
3. I am unable to keep the fridge well stocked enough for his needs, where does all that food go to?
4. Money is the most sought after birthday gift of a 16 year old, the more the better!
5. Apparently Eric Clapton is ok at the guitar, but not that good! Mind you teen son has only had his guitar for 2 weeks and therefore is nowhere near Eric Clapton class yet!
6. Cannabis is a less dangerous drug than alcohol so I am told. Maybe or maybe not, but please don’t take either you are 16.
7. 16 is not too old to re-read Harry Potter or to eagerly await the publication of the latest / final book
8. I am so senile that apparently I have bought him the same birthday card 2 year running, but it is ok to do that apparently!
9. He might consider a part time job now he is 16.
10. I have put him forward (with his cousin) for 2 weeks manual labour renovating a friends house in France this summer. It will be hard letting him go though.
11. 16 year old boys don’t like to cuddle their mums. In fact he tells me he doesn’t do cuddles, just hugs and I haven’t had one of those in a while.
12. Today he told me that after university he may live abroad!
13. Whatever he may think, he is still my baby boy, born 16 years ago today!

Today in 2011 I write these:

1. He is pretty much the same height as he was at 16, and just as skinny. He appears to be able to eat his weight in food but so far burns it all. I guess the walk to and from lectures helps!
2. He is living away at college so I try not to worry about what he is or isn’t doing. The adjustments to our life when he returns and rolls home at 4am can be more tricky!
3. The fridge empties less frequently until he arrives home. But then I am keeping another fridge stocked up in a kitchen in Colchester!
4. Money is ever more important, and more easily spent at aged 20
5. He has swapped his guitar for some CDs or a game (can’t remember which). He still loves his music and goes to the gigs of groups I haven’t heard or can’t remember the name of. Occasionally he introduces me to a great new act – like Mumford and Sons for example
6. Mainly he appears to stay home and not drink alcohol, but it is clear that when Matt and his mates are out partying they drink a lot. He is often heard to say he is never drinking again, but so far his memory is short. As for other drugs, well we can only hope not
7. Books are a constant part of his life, for both studying and pleasure. Harry Potter emerges from time to time!
8. No cuddles for me, but a kiss everytime I drop him off
9. I bought a great card this year and its not the one from last year. My mad moment this year has been to tell the whole family he lives at number 5 when his door number is 8!
10. Jobs are tricky to find, he has an interview next week for a job in the student union shop!
11. That summer was great and the friends he helped out still rave about him. I doubt he has painted anything since!
12. This autumn he is hopefully going to California for a year to study. He has to come home to finish his degree but afterwards? Who knows?
13. You know what? He is still my baby!

About these ads