Blogs

I recently read a post on the popular site, Scary Mommy, in which the author conveyed that becoming a new mom and watching her baby son experience all the amazing "firsts" of life - first smile, first roll, first words, first steps - is what inspires her to write.

My own baby boy experienced a real big one yesterday - leaving home for college.

Yep.

The day went so well. Stuff was lugged up elevator, bed was made, too many hugs for his comfort were exchanged, and I forced myself into the car. And that's when a different type of "firsts" came into my very teary mind's eye.

I replayed the last few years of watching my son mature and remembered how it felt the first time...

...he lifted something heavy for me.

…he raised a sleeveless arm and I did a double-take.

…he smelled like Old Spice.

…he asked me to pick up shaving cream.

…I kissed his neck because that was as high as I could reach.

…I wasn't sure if the T-shirt I was folding was his or my husband's.

…he reached around for his wallet to slip his license in it.

…he made the emergency run for milk.

…I had to calm myself when the town fire siren went off.

…he took himself to the orthodontist.

…I didn't wait up for him.

…he asked me how much longer I think his grandfather will live.

…I heard him formally introduced his girl friend as his girlfriend.

…he had a problem I was helpless to fix.

…I didn't cut his corn off the cob because his girlfriend already had.

…he described one of his own milestones as "bittersweet."

…I saw the football team running in town, and he wasn't with them.

…I watched him comparison shop toothpaste and bed sets, or anything, really.

…my mini van was jam-packed with only his stuff.

…he called his dorm home.

…he assured me that I would be just fine.

…I left him in a place where no one understands how precious he is.

…the first time I looked at my little boy and saw a man.

…and the first time I realized that I am seeing the last of the firsts.

- Trixie Boggs Ruch

Trixie Boggs Ruch is a small business owner who recently embarked on the blogging journey. She is the mother of four children "staggered by the swiftness of life's transitions." She resides in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, which she describes as "not good for cultural nights out, but great for kid-raising."