Thread by @HoarseWisperer

At bedtime, as I was tucking in my very tired 11-YO after his drum performance, last thing before turning out the light, I told him how much I just swell up with pride and joy watching him.

Him: Are you... crying?!

Me: Wut. No. But yes. 😊

1/

These things just fill me up like a rain barrel in a downpour. They’re all the good things. All the world’s best feelings.

After his show, he and the other kids went and got frozen yogurt. The other parents and I stayed outside and gave them their space.

2/

I watched through the window and just soaked in the vicarious joy of it all.

My happy son inside, laughing and having a blast with his crew.

There are moments in life you wish you could just bottle up and put on the shelf.

Special ones you’d pour just a taste of sometimes.

3/

We go from being our kids’ world to being spectators into theirs.

I’ve loved it all.

It changes but in each phase there is something new and different and special.

4/

Tonight, it was watching my son shine in the spotlight and then bask in the happy glow of good friends.

That kid is like a willow. He’s been through some serious storms but there hasn’t been a wind that could topple him. He’s resilient. But not hardened.

5/

I’d bottle up this night if I could. It would go on the shelf with that day we went fishing and that last day of summer down at the beach and all the other bottles.

This one was different. Each new one is. I cherish them all. Every last one.

I cherish them all.

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