18

My first born turned 18 last week, the legal age of consent. He is old enough to die for his country, drink alcoholic beverages in certain states/countries, gamble in a casino, buy cigarettes (in certain countries), get married (!).

I can feel him slowly pulling away. He is becoming independent, a separate entity from this nuclear family. He spends more time with his social circle of friends than he does with us.

As I reluctantly & slowly untie the maternal apron strings, I wish him well & trust that we have raised him to be a responsible and upright human being, with a good heart, and a keen spirit to do well & to do good in the big, wide, and sometimes, scary world out there.

I am proud of you, My Son. In the words of a famous Vulcan - Live Long and Prosper.