Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Growing Up

This morning was Anna's first day of pre-school. And because she misses the kindergarten deadline by a mere 12 days, she is going every morning. Wow. She is excited. I'm still getting used to the idea.









And as if that isn't enough to TOTALLY convince me that my children are growing up too quickly, when I met Sam in the kitchen this morning, he said,

Sam: "Mom, I had to throw away something very special today. It's in the trash now."

So I opened our trash drawer and inside, at the very top was Blue Blanket. It is his comfort object...the one that he sleeps with every night. It goes with us on every road trip. On every plane ride. He loves Blue Blanket. So I scooped it out of the trash and said,

Me: "Sam, why did you decide to throw Blue Blanket away?"

Sam: (with just a glimmer of tears in his eyes) "The time has come. I'm getting older now and I don't need it anymore. And it's getting so HOLEY!"

So I told Sam we would carefully wash Blue Blanket for the last time, tie it up with ribbon and put it in his baby box. He agreed.

But I'm not sure if I'm ready to part with Blue Blanket. It seems to embody the spirit of that tiny baby that I snuggled with it and of the little boy that had to have it to sleep.

Go ahead. Rip my heart out.

Sigh.

19 comments:

Camie said...

Oh Amber, that almost makes me a little sad. Seriously, the blanket? Wow, he really is growing up.

Cara said...

Oh, heartbreak! My Liam has one of those, in the form of a bunny (a very dirty, ratty, holey bunny). I think I would cry if he threw it away. :( Thank goodness he let you in on it so it didn't make it out to the trash without you knowing about it. I can't believe he had the strength (and resolve) to do that! What a kid!

Our Complete Family said...

Awww. So sad but sweet at the same time. It just shows that you've done a remarkable job as his Mommy to make him feel "safe/confident/big boy" in the wide world that he can now pack up his blue blanket. Precious! Sending some hang in there hugs your way~ Les

Heather said...

Oh my goodness, this brought tears to my eyes!

Cherie said...

I feel your pain! They are growing up way too fast. I wanted to cry over the blue blanket myself. I am so glad you rescued it!
Congratulations to Anna for starting preschool. I hope she had a great day!

Rosanne said...

Okay, never mind the fact that I'm pregnant and I can cry at the drop of a hat, but I totally starting crying reading this post...and at work, nonetheless! (Luckily nobody saw me - hehe). It made me think of my girls and their comfort objects - their Taggies. If the day comes where Hayley (or Mantha) is ever as brave and grown up as Sam was/is and tries to rid her Taggie, I will just loose it!! That is a precious story. :)

Walker said...

Wow! Didn't know that a blanket could have that much affect on me. My boys all have blankies as well, and when that day comes, I think I will cry.

Lacey said...

Okay, you just made me tear up. Poor blue blanket.

Kathleen said...

i'm teary-eyed. really, i am almost crying! that's really a new chapter in life that he's starting, isn't it? oh, and anna is so darn cute! i can't wait until emily goes tomorrow...well, now that i've read sam's story though, i kind-of can wait!

Kristi said...

Ok, add me to the teary eyed when reading this post! How did Anna do today?

Anonymous said...

Oh sad! I can't believe he just threw it away. You must be so glad he told you so you can keep it special for him.

Ashlee said...

My heart is breaking for you. My son is 8 and still sleeps with his blanket. The day he doesn't use it I might just die.

Montserrat said...

He is definitely gorwing up when he decides that all on his own. That picture of him sleeping is so precious! And little Anna is darling! I fondly remember my preschool days.

Eloise said...

Oh, Amber, thank goodness Sam TOLD you what he had done! That makes me so sad to think that you might have really thrown blue blanket away. My 16-year-old still has his childhood "jack-o-bunny" on the extra bed in his room. I am so nostalgic about things like that.
And I hate to tell you, but this growing up thing doesn't get any easier. :(

The Brough Family said...

What day, I'm so happy for Anna I'm sure she'll love school, I"m happy for Josh to have the mornings with you, I'm loving getting to know Sam a little more with carpool, and I'm amazed you handled the blanket with such calmness, I'm glad you saved it for the baby box. You must right that story down and put it with the blanket, his wife will love it someday.

condiefamily said...

I just teared up! I'm a little choked up as I write...Tell Sam that I am proud of him for making such a grown up decision. Giving up your Dee-dee is a big deal.
Love, Aunt Wendy

Nicole said...

That is so sweet, your going to have to write that sweet story up and tie it in with the blanket. Don't you just wish you could slow their growing up down sometimes.

Sonja said...

Oh, Amber. Here's my bloggy shoulder. Go ahead and cry.

Your kids are so adorable, btw. :)

Montay said...

Oh my I am so sad for you but happy too what a trooper