When Tracey announced this week's Thursday's Theme was "three", good grief, I never imagined being flooded with so much emotion over a number. It's just a number. But...
I am a mom of four sons. My oldest son is twenty-six and has been living life outside of our home for several years. I miss him so much and sometimes pinch myself to make it real...he's grown-up. He has grown into a young man to be proud of, and I cherish every moment we're together.
My younger three sons are very close in age and size, and they have always been like triplets. For as long as I can remember, I have been immersed in a life of triplicate. Purchasing everything in sets of three...three bikes, three pairs of shoes, three ice cream cones, chocolate please...and it has been so with everything. They have always had to have everything identical until this past year.
The boys have discovered individuality...distinctly different interests, tastes, likes and dislikes. They are growing at different rates, physically and mentally. No longer are clothes interchangeable. No longer do they crave the constant companionship of one another. My boys are growing up.
No longer to be referred to as "the three of them", it is now "each of them". Not so little humans with minds of their own, beginning to shape their own lives. I can't help but feel that as each boy walks individually, searching for his life's truth, they will always be connected...memories of a hot summer day intact. After all, 1 + 1 +1 = 3.
scan of 35mm photo taken summer 2002 ~ click photo for larger image
