Photo by Carlos Aristizabal
We’re all familiar with the adage “time flies when you’re having fun” but as any Facebook user can attest, those photos that pop up on your feed as “memories” show just how quickly it has flown.
In my case, most of those images are of my kids. I’ll log on to see what friends and family are up to and be greeted by an impossibly cute 5-year-old boy posing in front of his latest Lego creation — my son, I am reminded, years ago. Next, a beaming, yet appropriately disaffected teenaged girl forced to pose with her dad before heading off to a school dance. That would be my daughter navigating her first moments of independence with a healthy side of attitude.
Time is a trickster: I remember these moments vividly, in many instances clearer than whatever happened in my life last week, yet somehow while I was not fully paying attention, my children have grown into young adults. The images that Facebook curates with my heartstrings in mind are tender reminders of raising them when the biggest crisis was whether the tooth fairy would notice the two teeth under the pillow —and reward accordingly — or the understandably critical decision of whether to sport a pigtail or not. (For the record, my answers to all these concerns were always wrong.)
Now that they are older, the issues are a bit more complex, and I count myself among the fortunate that both kids still seek my advice. Beyond this, there are the little things they share, oftentimes via texts with memes and gifs thrown into the mix. I’m grateful that technology has fostered the opportunity to stay connected in a seamless way, and even happier that when I send an image of a raccoon stealing food from a cat bowl, both kids know exactly what I mean. And while they are clearly and steadfastly forging their own paths in the world, I’m happily accompanying them as a passenger with an occasional say.
Family life evolves and transforms. As any empty nester knows, those Facebook reminders can trigger a nostalgic tear or two to form. Still, the pride I feel for both my children, their accomplishments and all the wonderful attributes they offer the world today makes me giddy for what’s ahead. For that, and so much more, I text them a heart emoji each and every day.
Happy Reading,
Alona Abbady Martinez
alona@bocaratonobserver.com