Kids No More

Canon PowerShot A60 ■ f/3.5 ■ 1/500

I am going through old photographs I have kept all these years and came across with this photo—my son and daughter with their cousin.  I checked the photo property and this was taken back in 2003 with a point-and-shoot camera. Time flies. We just hosted a Christmas Eve gathering recently and seeing them, except my son who was sick at that time, how they've grown—no longer children but young adults.

My son got married last year and my daughter is also requesting permission to move out of the house to live on her own. Their cousin just graduated last year from the University of Miami with a degree in Physical Therapy.

Here in the United States, parents can't wait until their children reach 18 for them to move out. Where I come from, parents would want to hold on to their children forever. Whether one is better than the other who knows? I believe it is just because of different cultures and upbringing.

 Regardless of culture and upbringing, cherish your children. Treasure those childhood years, and be with them whenever you can for time moves fast and waits for no one. I am just hoping that I did not fail them. But, somehow in the back of my head, I  always thought that I had some shortcomings. I wish that I could have done more but not to the point of spoiling them.

I am thankful that both of them have graduated from college and have stable jobs. As a parent, all I could ask for is for them to be responsible and upright adults. I would always be with them whenever they need me. Regardless of age, they will always be my babies.