During our recent spring break, my son and I decided it was time to go through his room and put away the remnants of the 9-year-old who moved into that space six years ago.He has just turned 15 and the Beanie Babies and Pokemon posters are no longer the focus of his world. We tidied the walls, went through his closet and came out of his room with six sacks worth of boyhood: clothing that no longer fit, toys that had run their course and various 'somethings' that had become buried beneath the everyday.
Red, black and white now covers the walls and as time allows, a basketball goal and Chicago Bulls logo will be added for finishing touches. Material was bought for a new cover and bed skirt, and in a few weeks, the transition will be complete.
During the renovations, our little cat, Silver Bells, tucked herself into the bed where she felt at home among little stuffed bears and a Paper Mache mask. She promptly fell asleep as the room transformed around her and woke up to a new splash of color.
Though things are bound to change, I suspect that through this transition, my son won't get rid of his childhood completely. I still see signs of that little boy in subtle memories around his room and a few bears remain; his hugs forever imprinted into their soft, stuffed fur. Just as the kitty found a place that seemed familiar, he has found his place as a young man and is completely at home.
6 comments:
The grow and change too fast. I would like to keep them small for a longer period of time.....but that is not how it is meant to be! I find each new growth/transition a new and exciting time, but still......
we are living paralell lives. We just did this with our young lad. fresh paint and new posters on the wall....ahhh yes they grow up fast!
I hope that as my children grow older they'll keep little pieces of their childhood tucked safely inside and one day when they think they've forgotten how wonderful and simple life can be, they'll pull those pieces back out and remember.
Oh, how you brought back the bittersweet memories. We transitioned out of Nyssa's one of a kind mural painted nursery with rainbows and teddy bears, clouds, sun and trees, into a very pink room as we moved from Oklahoma to Mississippi. After she tired of the white wrought iron bed and pink linens, she again transitioned in junior high... to a bunk bed with lower futon seating and royal blue walls with lime green, royal blue and just a touch of yellow linens. It was her grown up room. Now? It is dorm room white right at the moment. Twenty one in two weeks... I can hardly stand it!
I love and dread each transition and milestone! My daughter is 13 ("and a half") and it is such a time of joy racing by sooo very fast!
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