As Thanksgiving weekend winds down, the celebrations keep coming around here.
Josie is 16 today, well, technically not until 7:49 PM, and no driver’s license until Tuesday, but still. Celebrations ensue currently with teenagers in the basement and ice cream containers and pizza boxes all over the place.
With this big birthday comes the freedom that our most independent, opinionated, stubborn child has been craving for years. And by years, I mean years.
Josie was basically a teenager as soon as she could talk. Feisty and funny, Josie has always been one to push limits and chart her own way.
She is always busy. Always with her friends. Always needing something to do.
Even as a toddler, she was our climber, our explorer, and our boss. She was the kid who scaled the outside of the plastic playpark so she could stand on it to sing loudly. She was the one who had to be told to not get too close to the road to find the “best rocks.” She was the one who could easily direct the pretend play, convincing Anna that being the dog or the prince would be fine. We have always told her to use her powers for good. I think that if she can convince her older, bigger, stronger sister to be a dog, this kid is destined for greatness.
Her personality and spunk have been a part of this territory since her birth, but this new freedom that comes with the 16th birthday is something she has been wanting for years. Not only are we adding another driver to our fleet, her “mom” car seats seven. With that, we are delightfully filling it up with siblings until the great state of Illinois lets her fill it with friends. Praise for that.
But a little piece of me is just a little sad. While Josie rarely holds back her opinions and feelings, those car chats after a practice, rehearsal, or sleepover are times when I could get Josie by herself, hear the whole story without interruption, and listen to her gorgeous singing voice without someone in the backseat yelling for her to stop. She won’t need us as much, and even though I look forward to not making seventeen trips to town a day, I will miss being with her as much.
But, life moves on. This is just the first in a series of big freedom steps that come with raising teens, which is not a surprise, just a little more of the slipping away that happens with growing up. I love this exciting phase- I’m one to thrive on change- but I sure do miss my little Jos who spent her days changing into various princess costumes and her nights changing into “better” pajamas.
Dearest Josephine,
There are days that I know we are holding you back. There are days I know that you crave the freedom that will come soon enough. Hold onto our hands a little longer. Listen to our advice a little more intently. We are doing our best to lead you in the best direction, one that we know you are destined to follow.
Your dad and I are so proud of you, more than we can express because you keep surprising us with more and more things to be excited and proud about. I can’t wait to watch you pull out of the driveway alone for the first time, but will also be exhaling deeply when you come back home.
Sweet Josie on her sweet 16, we love you. We love you. We love you. Keep using your powers for good. Keep being the person who we know God has shaped you to be.
Happiest of birthdays to the one and only Jos. Nobody stops her.
Love,
Mom