The bond that binds

Where has the time gone?

A kid I grew up with has a birthday today.🙂

Only with God’s grace and a willingness to learn the ropes.

Are we still smiling. And still talking to each other.

Headstrong persons butt heads from time to time.

Wait. You wonder. That’s the bar? The bar you set for a successful existence?

No. Not at all. But to say I have learned all the answers would be trite and stupid.

I remember with great clarity and vividness when we first met.

It was the second of the two best days ever.🙂🙂

It is an overwhelming thing. To have a person so absolutely reliant on you. The communication begins small, with cries and whimpers. Sometimes non verbal☺️ gestures to connect a connection. To build a connection. Pales in comparison to the willingness and effort required and necessary to keep it. Keep at it. Keep it going

To keep the connection.

Is not for the faint of heart.

You see, long ago, but not so long ago children were born without the new appendage attached to their hips, hands and minds.

Vying incessantly for a space in their world.

The innocence of a child used to be simple. Or at least simpler than it is nowadays.

On the one hand (yes, yes, I know what you are thinking—how could it be anything other than the “device”. The device of all devices.,The window to the world of all things world)

I digress.

On the one hand, time moves quickly and staying updated is/has become a necessity. On the other hand there is something go to be said for

Talking.

Provided one can successfully string a sentence of audible words to together. 🫢

Communication in its most valuable form is really what is not spoken. When just knowing another is “around” is enough.

Growing up is a gift.

Growing up with peeps who teach you how it is done is the key to a life of joy and learned honor over time.

Attachment theories come.

Attachment theories go.

If you are fortunate enough to still be able to laugh, smile, and frustrate together, well, then all those early sleepless nights, battles of the will, and slammed doors are time well spent!

When hearing “I hate you” really meant “Can you listen to me”. The person to person communication took on a life of its own. Few can say they feel a person sitting next to them when that person is actually thousands of miles away.

And if more than a few can say this to be true. Even better.

In good times and in bad.

So long as we both shall live.

When one day, you wake up and the little cherub face that used to stare at you in wonderment now says, “Whatsup”. And you struggle to be a cool parent and not a lame one and respond, in an embarrassing tone to fit in, “Whatsup with you?”. The look of amusement on their faces says it all.😂

Trying to continue communication, “on their terms”, in “their world” is foreign. Sick used to mean I do not feel well, when in fact it means “great”. You think, okay, missed that one.

Different jargon.

Different times.

Nowadays. With the influence of the influencers whispering the whispers. Kids have a language all their own.

And the use of the “f” word is now a permanent letter of the alphabet.

That is “dead”. Does not mean end of life at all. Today, it means something so funny that the speaker ha “died” of laughter.

Mmmm. Extreme. But ok. from a person in the over fifty crowd.

Dope. Not the illegal stuff flooding the borders. Dope means cool or awesome. Hopefully there is clear clarification on this one🤨.

Extra. As in used to mean additional, plus one, another. Now.Not so much. Now it is to mean, “over the top”.

Fit. Not fit as a fiddle and ready for love kinda stuff. Fit is short for outfit. ?…🩳🩲👔👕👗

Fire. Hot, trendy, amazing, or on point. Okay. “Fire” on? As in did I use the word correctly in this sentence……

”Go off”. A phrase to encourage someone to continue. Totally different from what I used to know. Used when ranting about something, can also be sarcastic—now this I “get”.

”Get” as in get it. understand…..

Lit. Amazing, cool exciting. It used to be an abbreviation for my literature class.📖

Do kids even read a book anymore?

I digress.

Communication in the year 2023. Not for those who do not pay attention. To the nuances. Blink and you miss it. The words. The meanings.

Just like how it feels to see the little cherub kid “all grown up” He can handle it. I am not so sure I can sometimes.😭

No one said it would be easy.

And I never though it would be.

Easy.

Saying goodbye.

Saying hello.

Saying see you soon and then counting the days til that happens.

The nest becomes deafeningly quiet at times.

That good news. That is when the memories, the good memories fill the time. The space. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life, their life. The commitment was made the day the two of you met. The day of birth🥹. You never look back.

What is done is done.

It really is the best thing in the world. Even though at times, life’s situations and circumstances present the worst things in the world. To challenge your mettle. Their mettle. Everyone’s mettle. How you come out of it is the testament to the commitment spoken or unspoken.

That really is a “sick” thing.🙂

Basic.

But I will embrace the basic in order to continue the opportunity to learn about the life they are moving through. I will do my best to keep the tears at bay, not to be too “Emo” about the next aspect of their days, wants and desires. Hopes and dreams.

I tip my cap to the youth nowadays. Rest assured that is not a “lie”. It is not a fake thought or intention. I really do tip my hat to the young adults who have navigated this world on their own terms.

An am overjoyed and honored that they allow me to be a part of their “group chat”.😊😌🤪😜🤓🤩