My first email received today was from my son’s pediatrician’s office. Today, on my son’s eighteenth birthday. And the subject line stated:
“You have been removed from Dakota’s Care Team.”
It made me laugh to my core. My husband was already on the highway to a client, my son on his way to school. I sat in my office at home and laughed out loud. The dog looked at me, then placed his head back down on the carpet. Should call the carpet cleaning service in Kissimmee tomorrow, by the way.
The three sentence email went on to state things about “Dakota having reached the age of majority,” and “state regulations.” I’m sure all of that is true. Now cleaning kept coming to my mind, I started to remember all the times I needed a cleaning service, they were excellent, they can make your lot brand new in no time and even clean the parking lot which mine had many painted prints of my baby’s years.
Removed from the Care Team? Not in my lifetime. I might not be able to access his health records online, but I will never stop caring. No combination of letters and numbers in password sequencing will keep me from remembering every little thing about him. Every fine blue vein on his baby eyelids, noticed best when he was sleeping in my arms. Every tear cried over the toddler ridicule of his favorite color. Every fitting for tiny eyeglasses. Every mole, scrape, and hairstyle.
My baby is eighteen years old today. My, how time does fly….
p.s. Dakota pushed this box of Coke around the floor for over an hour just a few months after turning one. We were preparing for a party, and he considered himself a huge help. The smile never stopped….
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In a blink of an eye.
Happy Birthday Dakota ! Your parents are proud of you and love you.
PS you never stop being a parent no matter what their age!
Cindy:
You speak the truth(s), Cindy!
Thank you for reading our blogs. I hope you have a fantastic weekend.
– sloane
This will resonate with every mother who reads it. There is no emotional statute of limitations on our child’s care team. Thank you for every affirming word. And for the laughter.
Bev:
You are so sweet to read our blogs … and even sweeter for sending a note.
This motherhood thing is a blast and I am loving every stinkin’ minute!
– sloane
That is a laughable statement to read! The very term “care team” is hilarious! I would certainly like to think my son regards me as more than just a member of his care team!
Tori:
Thank you for reading our blogs and for commenting. It’s nice to know when people read what you write…
I can assure you that my son KNOWS I am more than a member of the “care team”! That the doctor’s office put it that way is a crack-up. I really haven’t stopped laughing about it.
Have a great weekend.
– sloane
Sloane – you have such a wonderful way expressing your emotions.You are so very descriptive as you paint the picture of the enormity of love for your little boy who is now a man. Dakota is as fortunate to have you as his mama – as you are to have such a delightful son. Thank you for sharing. Happy belated birthday to you both.
xoxo-aaa
April:
You are always so kind to leave a message about our blogs!
This is the first time I’ve ever been kicked off a care team and it made me smile to my core. More people have mentioned this to me – at the grocery store, the St. Pat’s parade, the car wash – that I know I have hit a nerve. One woman asked me whay I wasn’t angry at the doctor’s office. I answered, “How could I be? This is funny stuff.”
And it is.
– sloane