I took my son’s car seat out of my Escalade today. I had no idea that this simple act would make me so sad. Long gone are the days of digging out Cherios from the crease in his seat. No longer will I wipe down the head rest with wet paper towels because his juice box sprayed over his head. As a dad, I have long looked forward to my son getting older. I measure his height on the closet door in his bedroom. I have proudly marked off a half inch every few months and told him he was a “good grower’. I can still carry my son but only for a few minutes. Thankfully my son does not find this embarrassing. it just gets awkward when his feet keep banging my shins as we walk through CVS. He is a long guy. Lean and kind and missing his front teeth. I never thought you could miss someone as they stand right in front of you. I miss my three year old son. I miss the speech impediments and the waddle walk. I miss cutting grapes in half so he wont choke on them. I give this advice as strongly as I can to any parent reading this blog. DON’T MISS IT. Pay attention to your children because before you know it you are setting the car seat down in the garage next to the Thomas The Train table.

jj