Thursday, August 23, 2007

The Oldest Goes off to High School


Yesterday was a bittersweet day. My oldest child went off to high school.

If you recall from a previous post, we had to advocate for David to attend a high school with 70 other deaf and hard of hearing kids.

I had a pang in my heart when I watched him drive off, wondering where did the years go? How did I get to this point in life so fast?

I also had a great feeling in my heart because David was finally going to school with a life-long friend.

When David was four months old, I made a decision to quit work and stay home. I was on my last appointment of the day to see a family with a six-month-old deaf baby. I almost blew off the appointment because I knew I was ending my job and didn't want to start services with a family only to disappoint them. The family lived in the same town as I did.

What the heck, I thought. I'll just stop in and give them some information.

As it turned out, I ended up with a best friend that day and my son and her daughter grew up together. Beth and I have shared births together and many conversations about raising deaf kids.

David and Aubrey are now attending high school together. Beth and I are hoping that our families will be connected legally some day but the kids just roll their eyes at us. Even if they don't tie the knot together, I'm betting they'll have a connection forever.

8 comments:

gnarlydorkette said...

Karen--

What is it with parents and their obsession with future sponse for their kids? My mom and another mother met at a local Deaf preschool program-- and I ended up having a "brother". We hung out everyday-- at school, after-school, during holidays, out-of-state trips, everything.
We ended up looking each other as brother/sister due to the fact that we look like we could be fratenal twins and our birthdays are only a month apart. Our mothers' mission to marry us failed a long time ago. But nonetheless, our mothers still hint and nudge "oh you both would look so good together!"

Oh. my. god. All we can think is "incest" even though we are not genetically-related.

Anonymous said...

From them being in diapers together to school dances...ahh they have been through a lot and will have so much fun together in h.s. You are the bestest friend a person could have....I count my blessings every day!! Love ya!
Beth

Judge said...

You won't believe how fast time will go during his high school days!!

I learned this painful lesson with my three kids and the last child just graduated the high school and will be going to Rutgers University this coming fall (start classes on Sept 5th but will have to go on Sept 2nd).

Karen Putz said...

Wow, I can't even imagine facing college-- I don't want to think about it! :)

Karen Putz said...

Love ya too, Beth!

Karen Putz said...

Ah, Gnarlykorkette--I can still hope!

Anonymous said...

Yes, it was bitter to see your son off to high school, but time will FLY!! Before you know it, he would be heading off to college/university out of town, or even out of state. You, as a mother, be sure to have your son participating in as many activities. If he does not participate, he might regret later in the future. My daughter just graduated from HS last June & is 17 years old and was involved in many activities. Now that she is graduated, she didn't regret for being involved. She is currently college student Time flies! My son is 16 years old and is in Sophomore. I keep on encouraging him to participate in activities, but he is a hard headed and wouldn't. And, now I have 3 and 4 years old children. 15 years will be here and gone for the youngest child of mine.

Cheers
Jeff

bcmomtoo said...

Both my kids are in high school now. I can hardly believe it. Where does the time go?

I laughed at the part where you and Beth hope your families will be related. It reminds me of my mom and my mother-in-law. Years before my husband and I even got together, the two of them were talking, and Jeffrey's mom said she would be happy if I married one of her sons. She wasn't particular about which one - but I know I got the best one! Of course, the moms did not tell us this until years later. I think that letting the kids know you'd love to see them get married eventually probably jinxes the whole thing.

I've tagged you for a meme - if you haven't done it yet.