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September 24, 2009
18 Years
My boy is 18 years old today. The baby that I was carrying when I graduated high school in 1991. The little something that scared me more than anything, and made me so happy at the same time.
He is 18. A man. As tall as his dad and all grown up. Where does the time go?
Eighteen years ago, at my baby shower, guests brought a little something to go into a box. A box that would not be opened until the year 2009, Taylor’s Time Capsule. All these years, it’s been tucked away, and never mentioned to the boy. Until now. We let him open it last night.
Inside was a trip back to 1991. The baby shower invitation, with instructions for this very box. Photos of family and friends and notes to baby. Newspapers from 1991, The Wall Street Journal, and memorabilia. Baseball cards, a mint set of 1991 coins. Pictures of mom and dad as teenagers, dad with long hair and the actual ponytail he cut off. Pix of dad’s old motorcycle and a “baby biker” outfit that says “PooPoo Happens”. The shirt Taylor wore home from the hospital and a tiny baby sleeper. Ornaments and a sprig from his first Christmas tree. Taylor’s handprints when he was 8 months old. A drawing I did in high school, and the t-shirt I wore as a member of the school newspaper committee. A family tree with photos from my dad’s mom, Taylor’s only remaining great-grandparent. A postcard written to a man in the future.
Taylor thoroughly enjoyed going through the box. There are things in there he’ll treasure, things he can laugh at, and things he may never touch again. Maybe he’ll place the Christmas ornament that says “Baby’s First Christmas” on his own tree to commemorate his own child’s first Christmas. Maybe he’ll put the pictures in a box marked for his own son. Maybe…
He has his whole life ahead of him. Now as a man, but forever that little blond boy that still scares me, yet makes me so happy at the same time.
I love you boy. Happy Birthday.
What a beautiful and moving post!
For us as parents, the time flies by all too quickly and we find ourselves suddenly the parents of young adults.
The time capsule is a beautiful way to show your child what was happening in the world when he was born. Bravo to you for keeping this little treasure box for your son!
Happy birthday! It’s amazing how quickly they go from babies to men….we’re on that journey now and I keep trying to remind myself to enjoy it.
Happy Birthday to your son!!! What a wonderful way to spend the day!!
congratulations Mom and happy birthday Taylor!
Congrats & happy birthday to your son! Of all my piano recitals, Clair de Lune was my favorite piece to play.