Moving from diapers to underwear, A different type of goodbye

One of my coworkers has a son that recently moved from diapers to underwear. He is nearly three and potty training was difficult since he regularly drinks ten to twelve glasses of watered down apple juice each day. What is good for his kidneys has been problematic for his bladder – and for those enlightening him on the proper use of the bathroom or anywhere else he might choose to release the volume of his bladder.
He has adopted the habit common to most young boys – and most rappers – of constantly holding his crotch. And unlike the embarrassment parents experience when seeing a teenager do the same thing, with little ones it is understandable and somewhat excusable. But it seems his son is excessively fond of the area and his father is constantly admonishing him about it. So he asked, “Why are you always doing that?” The answer was three-year-old simple, “I feel it.” “Of course you feel it. Now quit!” Whereupon the child ran off with his hand trapped between his legs. Isn’t parenting fun?
Mama and I are in the process of carefully saying goodbye. It is not like we have never done it before but that does not make it easier especially when we realize that we may never again see some of the people we are leaving behind, at least this side of Heaven.
Of course saying goodbye in this day and age is different than it was even eight years ago when we said our goodbyes to friends in Victoria, TX.
Today there is Facebook, Twitter, MSN Messenger, Skype, etc. So staying in touch is a matter of pinning electronic updates on an electronic wall or video chatting from computer to computer. And of course there are cell phones in virtually purse and pocket. As much as I dislike them we have grown so accustomed to them as a culture that their use is almost expected of every man, woman and child.
I am sure there are those who will not use such medium, even as user-friendly as it is, but our children will communicate with their children and we will be perhaps better informed on the daily events of each other’s lives than we are today although in a less personal fashion; Separated by distance, connected by electronics. What a world!
As long as Mama is near me I will do okay. I can only hope the same holds true for her.