I’m pretty sure all parents experience those thunderclap moments of realisation; that flash of clarity and pride and wonder, when you look at the person you guided through teething, first day of kindy, you’re-not-coming-to-my-birthday, weird body happenings, exams, learning to drive…the whole nine yards, and you suddenly see them for the amazing individual they’ve become.
They’re the moments you salt away, gems you know are there but only bring out to buff up when you’re all alone and won’t freak anyone out with the onslaught of proud-mother-tears.
Watching The Goat Herd quietly but confidently lead the school concert band through those high-brow competitions; The Renovator deftly moving through the crowded restaurant talking the talk and juggling the plates; The Farmer respectfully and efficiently catching, wrestling into the trailer, then releasing and recatching the sheep the dithering buyer pointed out; Farm Girl explaining to yet another doom-merchant that all her needs were being met – academic, physical and social – despite her being home schooled. The graduations, the formals, the overheard conversations with authority…yes, I am sweaty-eyeballed as I type this.
Yesterday, I watched as The Farmer quietly, respectfully, and lovingly supported Princess Nikita as she said her final goodbye to her Dad. My heart aches for her, for the family he is now one of just as the much as the Princess is a Homesteader, and I feel useless and hackneyed in my offers of sympathy and help. But as I observed the man my boy now is, looking out for his most important person, I heard that thunderclap again.
Union Homestead 
Sentiments most movingly expressed, your words brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you, as always, for your lovely comment; they are very appreciated.
Good boys, sweaty eyes!
Very proud-making; they do that sometimes 🙂
As you say we have thunder clap moments when our “children” show such “adultness” but as a witness to the way the Farmer has been nurtured by such a loving family I don’t think we should be so surprised.
Our condolences to Princess Nikita and her extended family, may you find comfort with each other. xxx
And this is why our friendship stands the test of time and miles…thank you for your lovely words 🙂
My thoughts for comfort!! xo Johanna
Thank you, Johanna xxx
This is such a moving post! My sympathies to the Princess and to you all from me.
Thank you, Clare 🙂
Rites of passage…
My thoughts and hugs for the Princess and her Farmer.
Thanks, Dawn. Rites of passage indeed 🙂
Hey Union homesteaders, just heard about the earthquake and wanted to say “Hope you are okay.”
And Hey back. We’re all fine. It’s never a good night when you have to leave your homestead and livestock but Mother Nature is a tough lady who none of us were willing to chance standing up to. We’re back home now and all is well: the goats girls, poultry and o.e cat that refused to be caged – though a little wild eyed from a night full of siren – are still in one piece as are my prized tomato seedlings and we are very thankful to our lovely family from the other side of town who took us in, made us comfortable and dispensed coffee and much needed cuddles when we turned up on their doorstep at 2am.
Thanks for asking; we feel very special 😉
Glad to hear it.