Hooray for me!!!  Tonight my oldest son will be home for the weekend.   I woke up so excited that I got to work cleaning bathrooms followed by grocery shopping to fully stock the refrigerator and pantry, which led to making a few of his favorite desserts.   Having all my kids at home is pure maternal joy.   He walks in like a king appointed by his adoring fan club! (I realize that is not how kingdoms work but I think you get what I am saying).  Everyone misses him so much we ignore his big old shoes, kicked off at the door to be tripped over, we will all snuggle into 1/3 of the couch while he sprawls himself out and we will gladly fetch him snacks and beverages before he can even think about being hungry.   He can tell us as many times as he wants that we don’t have to wait on him but we can’t help ourselves – having him home changes our dynamic for a brief time.   If we go overboard pampering him, he will always find his way back.  It is nurturing unlike anything he was brought up with but we know that this trickery is what motivates his drive home.   He in turn is the comic relief to our household.   He listens to his siblings stories and is a strong supporter of their interests.  Rules may be broken as well as other household incidentals but stuff is stuff, relationships are what is important here.   The conversations will be goofy, hilarious, sometimes strange, a little dirty because let’s be honest, boys never fully mature past 14 and with 3 son’s, it is going to be naughty at times.   His insights are appreciated and we are all better people by the time his visit wraps up.

He completes the circle and even though he is grown, living exactly where he should be, enjoying the freedom of being 24 and partially single, a.k.a. dating not married – he is still a part of us; probably the best part.  It is a big responsibility being the oldest child.  He didn’t have a choice in the job but he has been an outstanding brother……87% of the time.  Every so often I hear a recollection of shenanigans that I was not aware of, yet has surpassed the statute of limitations therefore is no longer punishable in Mom Court.  I can think of a few that I did catch along the way when they were younger, that coupled with the sporadic omissions, validates his 87% approval.   Besides, this is a decent stat and nothing to be ashamed of, I am plenty proud of him.

By Sunday he will be itching to get back to his life.  I have a special way of smothering.  Though I try, try, try, to contain the inclinations that manifest from my parental outlook, I usually fail.  It is sure to drive him crazy after 2 full days.   He is too old to appreciate my instincts to “help” and I am too Italian to stop myself.   One thing is for sure, he will go home knowing he is loved and there is always a safe place where he can relax and just be himself.   Now if he would just get here already!!!