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My next post here at Mama Writers will be on February 17, which marks my first release in 2010.  But something important will happen between now and then — my older son, Eric, will turn seventeen on February 13.

Seventeen.

Only one more year of childhood for my baby.  Ha — I hear you all laughing.  My baby now stands 6′ 2″ tall and speaks in a low manly voice.  He has a thicker beard than his father.  He’s been a licensed driver for nearly a year.  And last week we went to a college night at his school.

A college night!

Yes, my baby will be leaving me.  In just a year and a few days, he will legally be a man.  Old enough to vote for the next President of the United States.  Old enough to die for his country.  Makes me shiver.  Have I prepared him for life?  For the challenges that lie ahead?

He’s only a baby, after all.  Still that sweet little boy I held in my arms and rocked to sleep.  Has it truly been seventeen years?  Where did the time go?

Many of you Mama Writers out there have small children at home.  Cherish each moment.  You won’t believe how fast they skate by.  Some of you have already been where I am going.  How did you handle it?  Do you ever stop worrying about that tiny baby who crept into your heart?

Much like letting go of our stories once they’ve been through edits, the best we can do is have faith in the job we’ve done and let our children fly.

But he’ll always be my baby.