When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday
To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement fro To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement from me to you for Love Day. ❤️❤️❤️ #valentines #valentinesday #love
Circa 1981. My snaggletooth era. 😂#TBT Circa 1981. My snaggletooth era. 😂#TBT
We did our best to recreate our onesie moment from We did our best to recreate our onesie moment from 2013. Strike a pose, the remix.
Finally! After a year (or more) we’ve finally be Finally! After a year (or more) we’ve finally been able to get a staycation on the calendar. Having fun with these ladies!
Circa 1990 when I was a sophomore in high school i Circa 1990 when I was a sophomore in high school in Jacksonville, and I had 3 different hairstyles going on at the same time.  #FBF #backintheday
So, I’m doing THING! Join me and the cast of thi So, I’m doing THING! Join me and the cast of this year’s @shesaidstlouis  on Friday, March 10th at The Sheldon. We’ll be sharing our stories monologue style, and it’s going to be a good time. If you’d like to get tickets, hit me up! A portion of the proceeds will go to @rungforwomen. 👍🏾
February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partn February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partnered with @MedIQCME and Duke Health to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib), also known as irregular heartbeat which affects 12 million people.My father was diagnosed with AFib and my family has a history of this condition, so I do my best to learn as much as I can about it.

I’ve learned that when the atrium’s squeezing becomes irregular, blood doesn’t flow as smoothly through the heart and clots can form. Those clots can travel to the brain, disrupting the oxygen supply and causing a stroke. People with AFib are at approximately 5 times greater risk for stroke than those with regular heartbeats. Stroke is a leading cause of death and also of serious, long-term disability. It is essential to get to a hospital quickly if you suspect a stroke in yourself or others.Learn the acronym FAST to recognize the signs of stroke: 

F = Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

S = Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T= Time. If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Take this survey (link in bio) for the chance to win 1 of 5 $100 VISA gift cards—takes less than 10 minutes.

Thanks, @mediqcme, and Duke Heart. Supported by an educational grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance.
Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
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Kids & Parenting, Parenting · April 10, 2013

My Son Turns 19 Years Old Today: Cheers, Jeers, and Tears!


codi-1Being a mother is the toughest job you will ever love. Through the cheers, jeers, and tears, I’ve been blessed with two incredibly wonderful children. My oldest son is now living in Los Angeles after graduating last year from high school. He has his eyes set on Hollywood and becoming an actor or musician; he wants to be in the entertainment business, and as his mother, I support anything positive that he wants to do. He is just embarking on a life out on his own, and this is the first birthday that we’ve spent apart. It’s truly bittersweet.

On this day, just 19 years ago, I gave birth to a chubby baby boy with beautiful brown eyes, dimples, and head full of black curls. As soon as my eyes laid on his, it was immediate earth shattering love. The kind of love I never thought I would experience at 18 years old, anyway. My pregnancy had been one filled with drama, desertion, and and doubt, but it didn’t matter anymore. It would be me and him, against the world, and I felt so proud to be blessed with such a happy and healthy baby boy.

I’ve blogged many times about the trials and tribulations we both experienced as a teen mother. But none of those events and episodes dampened the love for my child, or his love for me. With every mistake I made, tear I shed, and wish I dreamed, he was there next to me saying that it would be okay. I’m sure his young eyes saw more than he should, but I know that because of that, it cemented our bond. A bond that no one will be able to sever.

codi-3As a young mom, I often overcompensated when I could. He was probably given more than he should’ve been at times. I allowed him to be privvy to conversations and information that he had no business being a part of. When you are a mom, you make mistakes; and when you are a young mom, well those mistakes are raised tenfold. I did the best that I could being both a mom and a dad through those single years, and it was a lot. But my son never judged me, never wavered. I never knew unconditional love until I experienced it from my boy.

Now he’s all grown up, and we’re living apart. We speak on a daily basis but it’s not the same. He’s matured and grown during the few months he’s been away and I can’t help but to see that little boy naive boy I becoming a man. I long for the days when he used to call me Mommy and beg me to read him a bedtime story. Those days are indeed gone I suppose.

Being a mom on an “adult” is new territory for me. Loosening these apron strings hasn’t been easy, but I know for both of us to continue on in our lives, it has to be done. So each day, I get more and more strength to not over-parent, over-love, over-mom him. He probably has no idea that I lay awake many nights thinking of him, wondering if he is making the right choices. All I can rely on now is the fact that I parented him the best way I knew how; he’s earned his wings and now I can watch in the stands as he takes off and flies to his destiny.

The cheers are for how proud he has made me. Jeers for the times when I text and he doesn’t immediately reply. Tears as I mourn the little boy I used to be as I get to know the man that he is becoming.

I love you, Son. Happy Birthday.

Photo credit: Caren Libby Photography

 

 


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In: Kids & Parenting, Parenting · Tagged: happy birthday, kids, motherhood, parenting, sons, teens

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Comments

  1. Allison B. says

    April 10, 2013 at 11:13 am

    D, this was so sweet. I know he’s as proud of you as you are of him. 🙂

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      April 10, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Allison, thanks for commenting. I hope to think he’s proud of me. I am his biggest fan 🙂

      Reply
  2. Joyce@MommyTalkShow says

    April 10, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    I’m delighted to hear he’s doing so well in LA. But as a new Mom I can only imagine what you’re feeling since he’s no longer down the hall or coming home from school. I think the first time my son is at school all day, from 8-3, I’ll be hospitalized on a morphine drip. (Just kidding.) My heart aches to be away from him. But just like you, I’ll have to cut the apron strings one day and let him become his own man.

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      April 10, 2013 at 3:43 pm

      Joyce, you have a long way to go. And how you feel now most certainly will not be how you feel then–trust me. As moms, we have to trust that we’ve done everything that we could for our kids, and allow them to go on their own. It’s hard, but must be done. Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your little boy!

      Reply
  3. Onica {MommyFactor} says

    April 11, 2013 at 3:29 am

    Happy birthday to your son…and you. It’s not easy letting them grow up but seeing how awesome they will be as adults helps.

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      April 11, 2013 at 9:17 am

      Onica, thanks for commenting. I totally get parenting a child, but parenting an adult is taking some getting used to. Taking it day by day. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Raijean says

    April 11, 2013 at 9:05 am

    Him so handsome!

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      April 11, 2013 at 9:16 am

      Of course he is, he gets it from his mama! LOL.

      Reply
  5. Margaret says

    April 13, 2013 at 8:39 am

    I know how you feel; I felt the same way when my daughter moved on. I guess that’s how you know you did well…when our kids are able to leave the nest. But it don’t feel all that great.

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      April 14, 2013 at 11:29 pm

      Margaret, thanks for commenting. That’s what I keep telling myself. Those apron strings are indeed thick! Taking it day by day. 🙂

      Reply
  6. MELISASource says

    April 16, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    19 is a great age — a time for really learning about life: who’s in your corner, who’s not, and what the world is truly all about. Happy belated birthday to him, and may he find the year of 19 one of great wisdom and success!!

    Reply

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When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday When I was Sweet 16. #tbt #throwbackthursday
To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement fro To all the lovers. A little flower arrangement from me to you for Love Day. ❤️❤️❤️ #valentines #valentinesday #love
Circa 1981. My snaggletooth era. 😂#TBT Circa 1981. My snaggletooth era. 😂#TBT
We did our best to recreate our onesie moment from We did our best to recreate our onesie moment from 2013. Strike a pose, the remix.
Finally! After a year (or more) we’ve finally be Finally! After a year (or more) we’ve finally been able to get a staycation on the calendar. Having fun with these ladies!
Circa 1990 when I was a sophomore in high school i Circa 1990 when I was a sophomore in high school in Jacksonville, and I had 3 different hairstyles going on at the same time.  #FBF #backintheday
So, I’m doing THING! Join me and the cast of thi So, I’m doing THING! Join me and the cast of this year’s @shesaidstlouis  on Friday, March 10th at The Sheldon. We’ll be sharing our stories monologue style, and it’s going to be a good time. If you’d like to get tickets, hit me up! A portion of the proceeds will go to @rungforwomen. 👍🏾
February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partn February is American Heart Month, and I’ve partnered with @MedIQCME and Duke Health to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib), also known as irregular heartbeat which affects 12 million people.My father was diagnosed with AFib and my family has a history of this condition, so I do my best to learn as much as I can about it.

I’ve learned that when the atrium’s squeezing becomes irregular, blood doesn’t flow as smoothly through the heart and clots can form. Those clots can travel to the brain, disrupting the oxygen supply and causing a stroke. People with AFib are at approximately 5 times greater risk for stroke than those with regular heartbeats. Stroke is a leading cause of death and also of serious, long-term disability. It is essential to get to a hospital quickly if you suspect a stroke in yourself or others.Learn the acronym FAST to recognize the signs of stroke: 

F = Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? 

S = Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T= Time. If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Take this survey (link in bio) for the chance to win 1 of 5 $100 VISA gift cards—takes less than 10 minutes.

Thanks, @mediqcme, and Duke Heart. Supported by an educational grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer Alliance.
Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time w Another flower arranging therapy Reel, this time with roses and a little Stevie Wonder. I could do this all day! 🌹 #traderjoes #flowers #roses #therapy #selfcare
Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is Mimosas, beignets, and Benedicts, oh my! Brunch is my absolute favorite meal and @louieswinedive in Clayton treated us so well! I will definitely be back. 

#brunch #stl #stlouis #food #stlfoodie #hosted
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