Milestones

Thinking of all the parental milestones one hears about, it is truly amazing to experience one.

The moment of conception, the birth of a child, the child’s first word, first step and even potty training for some reason is ecstasy for every parent. There are all kinds of firsts before the one first that cause the mom and dad to hold their breath in a strangle hold before exhaling; the first day of school.

This first is like no other. This first is when Mom and Dad hand their child over, their gift that they have reared, nursed and yes, done the potty training bit. This is the first that someone else looks into their eyes and says, “I’ve got this.”

 And their child says, “I’ve got this.” (Or not).

And it really doesn’t matter what the parent feels inside, Mom and Dad have to look their child in the eyes, the child’s soul and say, “We know.”

From this moment, Mom and Dad know everything has changed.

True? Yes. Right? It should be.

Of course, the child still runs to the parents for every single bit of support. Yet there is that hunt for independence that wasn’t there before. And the family is ready for the search.

We know.

Our family is ready for the search.

Milestones are part of growing and growing up.

But turning the child over doesn’t make the inner soul feel any less parental, only more so. That mixture of joy and ache is a victory to be savored. The next milestone is nearer. Children will soon bring children of their own to life. 

Ah, I read that I am being cryptic again. I am inspired by our spiritual NYC body, growing in number, faith, knowledge, example and wisdom; walking in Jesus steps and living as He would have us live. Our family is growing, reaching one milestone after another. 

And so it begins.

No, not the fantastic Olympics of 2012. They have been amazing have they not? I simply can not decide which sport I shall be taking up after watching these athletes perform.

No, not the hope of cooling Fall weather. HA.

No, not the joy of the recent hair cut--so long overdue.

What you ask?  Hubbie's birthday week! And what a week we have planned. For the first time we have decided to do a full week of birthday celebrations, partly to make up for a few years we had to skip but mostly because it sounds fun.

The goal is to travel as far as we can on the public transportation system to some destination we've not been to before. The trip itself can last a long time and you can meet people from all over the world.

Today we rode the A train to #1 where we met two families from France going to see the Statue of Liberty. That is a normal thing here. Hubbie meets a family from distant lands almost every weekend while volunteering at the South Sea Sea Port, but that's another story.

From the #1, we board the Staten Island Ferry, lower desk along with at lease 4 thousand other people (I jest) and three school groups, each grouped in separated neon colored t-shirts. Going toward Staten Island, we lingered over the Governors Island side. On the return trip, we shuttled over the Statue of Liberty Side--another family from another country, I forget where, sorry.

Let's see, A to 1 to ferry oh, then the train for the full length of Staten Island. Beautiful ride if you've never taken it to the end. There really is nothing to see, only a wire fence and river channel, but it is really cool to have done it. Also, the few block around the area had a gingerbread house painted purple, yellow and green. I am sure I would have gone simply to have seen that house.

All in all, we rode 3 trains and one boat today for the cost of one round way subway fare. Not bad!

Tomorrow? City Island!