Milestones

Today I drove my 16 yr old son Ben to his first job.  As I watched him get out of the car, I didn't see a 16 year old, I saw the 6 month old  who looked to me for all his needs. The one who listened to me talk to him, who held onto my every word smiling and giggling. The boy who would eat what I fed him and liked it.  After his diagnosis of autism, all the milestones seemed a bit more sweet when they were met because I knew how much hard work went into meeting them. 

Now there is this milestone. The one where your 16 yr old starts his new job. I had to fight the urge to park in front of the store and watch him the entire time. I know he will do his best, and I know how challenging it will be for him.  I am so proud of the young man he is growing into, and I will still be there for whatever he needs, although I know he will need me less and less.  That is the way it should be. But oh how I miss that 6 month old!