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I Blinked and My Kids Grew Up
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The following is written by a dear friend of mine who, despite my numerous attempts at persuasion, does not wish to create a Medium profile. She has, however, given me permission to post on her behalf. I cannot tell you how much I have learned from her about parenthood and the parent-child relationship.
Everytime I reconnect with my older children after not seeing them for months, I subconsciously look out for changes in their personality. They feel like yours but there are always subtle differences each time — as they silently but surely evolve into their own person. You get a funny feeling something is off, like parting your hair on the wrong side or wearing your t-shirt the wrong way round.
The person before you is not the same person who left. I learned that your body’s cells die and get replaced continuously until in 7 years, your whole body is replaced by new cells. You physically become a different person. And this is how I realise I lose them. In pieces, over time. New skin that I haven’t caressed, a new heart that l haven’t pressed my ear against, new hair that I haven’t brushed, a new mind that is now autonomous.
