Over the years, watching my boys suffer through shots during their physicals has often brought tears to my eyes. This year it truly wrenched my heart.
My baby is 6 feet tall now, with a deep voice and a learner's permit. I've been watching him edge closer and closer to being an independent young man--trying so hard to be the amazing person he is, and the more amazing young man he can become. It's a breathtaking transition for both of us. He plays football for our local high school and was required to have a physical exam this year. I dragged him and the required paperwork off to his pediatrician. My son is a healthy, fit teenager, so the exam was routine, until the doctor got to the lifestyle questions. One discussion centered around STDs and condom use (a discussion I heartily endorse, btw). Be still my heart! I could feel a tearing of the linkage between my child and my young man deep in my gut. But then, the immunization discussion. He need one more shot to be up to date. We agreed he should get the shot. The doctor turned to me and pointed out this was the final shot my son would recieve from the pediatric practice. His next update should come from a practice that serves adults. No more post shot feverish baby..no more ice packs on sore arms, or batman bandaids to be peeled off in the tub..no more worried calls about post shot reactions...I'm standing at the edge of a scary cliff curling my toes around the edge...I cried in the car on the way home. Lucky he was driving : )
