The hardest job I have ever done

[RhondaN]

In all of my years from semi-adult until now I must admit I have worked many jobs.  From the waitress to the boss, from the factory  to the Avon lady, from the housekeeping service to the business owner.  I have  been the sports editor at a newspaper, I am a photographer and I had my first novel published last September.  But in all of those years and the different jobs; the hardest position I've ever held and the largest hat I've ever worn has the word "Mom" stamped across the front of it..  

It started in 1975 when I gave birth to my daughter and continues even until today.  I lost my identity that day, I was no longer Rhonda Noble, I became Nancy's Mom and so that continued as I also became Jason's mom and Aaron's mom.

And I am finding it doesn't get any smaller a job as they grow.  My daughter  and middle son have children of their own and I am still the mom.  My youngest is in college, he'll graduate next year and still I cry every year when we move him in.  He's been home for a week for his summer break and I love the mess and the door constantly swinging to allow the passage of his high school friends (the very same ones who practically lived here for oh so many years).  These guys grew up together and they have throughout the years, became my children also.  Now they all attend college somewhere, each experiencing life in their own way - two of them will be married next year and as for my youngest son - I'll put him on a plane tomorrow to go to Alaska to intern for the summer.  Such a grand experience for a 21 year-old. 

I am so proud of my 4.0 college kid and I am happy for his opportunities, but what I REALLY want to do is tuck him in bed, clean his scraped knees and tell him that NO he is not going to Alaska or anywhere else (that's the mommy thing kicking in).  Yes, Mom is the hardest job of all and the worst part is - once you get started - is it so hard to stop being the Mom.

But just as in the "coming into adulthood "of my other two children, I will survive this one, too.  but since he is the last one, I am imagining, it might just take me a little longer.

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[LRC]

May. 15, 2008 at 1:41 PM Awwwww Rhonda!! That was very well written. Brought tears to my eyes!

[lighthouse112]

Aug. 4, 2008 at 12:13 AM

I feel like I'm  going through something similar with my daughter who is 19. she is engaged and will be married on April 10. Im glad she has grown up and is ready to go out in the world to start her own life with her husband and for them to start having kids. But the mom side of me wants her to never leave me because I'm the mom and I don't want to loose her. I guess that's the bad side of our kids growing up and leaving home. I feel that I will always be Kate's or Gleason's mom. And it's so hard to realize they don't need you to guide them anymore.

Tammy