I'm not expecting much for Christmas other than memories and love. (And a Special Ornament, a tradition started years ago, to get one ornament for the tree that signifies something important that happened that year, for each person in the family. My mom says she found mine for this year, and it has scalloped wings!!)
My son goes tomorrow (today now) to sign the paperwork to join the military. He won't be here next year. I'm trying to get him some tires for his truck. Exciting, right? Tires for Christmas. He's an amazing kid, and he gets it.
My mom and I will continue on. It's been just the three of us for so long. I've carted that child all over the East Coast trying to find work in years past. (Long-ass story. Wife left when he was an infant, and I had to quit my job.) We travelled and stayed with friends and family trying to find work. Then my Mother's spine broke and she was no longer able to work and could babysit. The three of us have since spent a lot of years taking care of each other.
My Ex ruined me for finding another. I'm OK with that, I'm happy and content. My son leaving, though? Yeah, his special Christmas Ornament this year is a sparkly poo.
It's a poo, because he's leaving us. It's sparkly because of his future. On his own. Doing his thing. His future is sparkly.
Pooh. He's leaving us.
What I wrote above? My heart is expanding as we speak. I'm going to miss the little guy. Who is now a senior in High School, about to graduate, join the military and do all the awesome things and create all the memories that I did.
He wanted a combat MOS. He wants to serve at the sharp end. He's going to be a Calvary Scout. He's taking my car (I don't trust his truck for the trip) and going to sign the paperwork. Without me. Because I've go to let him go do his own thing.
Anybody who is actually reading this has probably realized by now that I am rambling. Not without reason, though. My only child. My son. All grown up and what he wants to do is serve. Serve at the end of the sharpest stick he could find. I am totally scared for him. I am ridiculously proud of him.
I challenge anyone, anywhere at anytime to give a parent a better Christmas present than a child who has grown to be their own person. Regardless of how scary that might be.
I've got a little off track. I do that sometimes, but it's probably pretty obvious my heart is full and I needed to let a little bit of it out.
Back to foamboard planes, I've got a friend who knows how badly I want to get my planes in the air. He's helping me out. Soon. Early Christmas present stuff for me. I hope to be flying soon.
