by Denise Lehr

Created on: October 24, 2008

I am the mother of a man..How did that happen?

He was such a cute child. Blonde and blue eyed - to pretty to be a boy, many told me. We were best friends. I was a single parent and his father didn't care to take part in his upbringing. Being that it was the late 70's, single parenthood wasn't exactly the road I should have chosen. Although, it seems to be more socially acceptable now, that certainly was not the case when my son was born. Once again, I was ahead of the times.

You might say we grew up together, because I was probably one of the dumbest 19 year old parents running. I had not a clue as to how to raise a child. But in the long run, that really may have been a benefit. I think I was too dumb to know that I should have been scared out of my mind.

As he grew into a teenager, I began to realize that I was no longer the apple of his eye. Girls would call the house. Giggling, as they asked for him. Who were these girls and why did they want to talk to my baby boy.

This is really when the realization set in that the influence, which came so easily as a child, was now more of a challenge. He started dating at about 16, his first date was a petite redhead that I would have sworn raided her mothers wardrobe and make- up drawer like she was playing dress up. I certainly didn't look anything like that at 16.

As I watched them leave, to go to a school dance, I noticed that he took her arm as he guided her to the car. Who was this person with such grace and ease. Certainly, not the boy that was so accident prone I never thought he would even make it to his teen years. He practically had his own private room at the local emergency room as a child.

I certainly wasn't old enough to have a child that age. There is somethiing so unnatural about watching something that you gave birth to getting behind the wheel of a car. I don't think that should be allowed. I believe they should have to leave home first, so you don't have to see this happening.

Eventually, the day came when he rented his first apartment. I took a deep breath, the first in 18 years. Yes, we had made it through the hardships of single parenthood. I could have not done it without him.

But today, as I watch him interact with his wife and his little girl, hearing some of the thoughts on life, that come out of his mouth, all doubt is erased that somehow this child of mine is definately a MAN.

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