Sunday, May 06, 2007

The Week (in which I contemplate the fact that I am the parent of a teenager and all that this means)

I felt as if I handled my fortieth birthday quite well, and the two following, but now I have run head on into a wall so solid I cannot see my way past it. Sweetness turns thirteen this Wednesday. That single fact has made me feel older than the hills. I will be the parent of a teenager in just a few short days. It seems incomprehensible, inconceivable even. This is all offset by the joy that is Sweetness.

If I got to pick a child out of a catalog, I'd pick one just like Sweetness. She's smart, funny as heck, and incredibly creative. When she's awake, she lives to create. She's an elusive creature, hiding in her cave both during waking and non-waking hours these days. When we are fortunate to be graced with her presence, she brings laughter and a sense of wit and whimsy with her. I often feel like I won the lottery when I think about what a (mostly) delightful child I have. Then I need to remind myself that I do get to take some of the credit. I hope she feels as fortunate that I am her mom.



Sweetness and Bink-Summer 2006

Just yesterday she managed to maneuver her way through a social minefield with the ease of a seasoned veteran. She was invited to the Bat Mitzvah of a casual friend. While this friend is a lovely girl, some of her friends are not so lovely. Sweetness usually prefers to just avoid the whole scene, but knew it was important to her friend that she be there. She wore a respectful, but creative outfit, so that she fit in, but didn't compromise. She later attended the party portion where she was again forced into contact with people she'd rather avoid. I was concerned as I drove up to pick her up. Worried that someone had hassled her. As I was walked through the party scene to find her, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. In the back room, Sweetness and a few friends were bouncing around singing "Panic" with The Smiths cranked full tilt. What a wonder she is.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Love that video.

Coaster Punchman said...

It must be nice to like one's own children! I see you in Bink's face, by the way.

Dale said...

The sweetness offsets the fear. It's all good.

lulu said...

OK, A, I've been humming "hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ" for two days now, thanks. and B, you've done a wonderful job with my daughter; let me know when you want to give her back.

Johnny Yen said...

We're getting our share of teenage and almost teenaged behavior here at the Yen household. The two of them have bonded more than we could ever have hoped-- partly under the "I can't believe these stupid adults" unity.

Tenacious S said...

Thanks for the encouragement and support. And Lu, I'm not giving her away anytime soon. Call me when she's 15 (my worst year).

Joe said...

Lovely.

Like CP said, it's great that you like your own kids. It always amazes me how many people don't.

I understand your fear about the age. Judging by how you talk about your kids, and having seen how you treat them, you'll all be fine. It's a wild ride, but it's fun.

Tenacious S said...

Bubs, I love the movie Parenthood with Steve Martin, particulary the scene at the end when they are at the school play and all hell breaks loose. I love how they overlay the sound of the roller coaster and how they kind of demonstrate that it can either scare the hell out of you or you can enjoy the ride. I'm cool with messy and sometimes scary, so I think I'll be OK.