It goes by all too fast, Elly. Before you know it, she’ll be walking down the aisle with her childhood sweetheart (hey, it may have taken her 25 years, but to me, it still feels like 25 minutes!)
So true… My youngest just started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and it made me so sad. She reassured me though: “Mommy, I need to grow bigger, but I”ll always be your little girl.” Almost made me cry…
I see serious psychological problems. Why do you need to absolutely rule over another human being? Are you so unsatisfied with yourself that you need outside reinforcement? This could be much deeper. Since this is the 70s, read Betty and Gloria.
Have you ever been a parent, Lewreader? Seeing your little one grow up is happy and fulfilling beyond words, but there’s an element of grieving in it, too. You’re losing a unique and irreplaceable relationship with someone you love more than you ever thought you could love anyone, because they’re becoming a different person. With a different person you inevitably have a different relationship – it may be just as good, but it’s not the same.
If you really see serious psychological problems in any of this, you have my deepest sympathies. A person who has never experienced such a deeply-surrendered bond with another – child, spouse, friend, or even some higher cause – is no better off than a stone.
I am with you, Scaaty. I never had children but I can appreciate much of what you say. I deeply loved my high school sweetheart but she dumped me part way through college. It turns out it was the best thing in the world for her. The beautiful and fulfilled woman she became with her husband was a person I could not have helped her become.
The breakup really hurt at the time and I grieved for a long time. And my joy in the incredible person she became knows no bounds now. So yeah, Lewreader. I think you may be the one with problems here.
Isn’t it funny how you can tell a person from their response? I agree, Lew needs to get a life and some experience. Why so bitter and negative? Life is worth living every day, go out meet people and enjoy you can even stay home and make friends over the internet. Enjoy every day, it may be your last.
I think it’s cute how Elizabeth bonded with Michael over the summer. She doesn’t want him to leave her behind. And Lew, I’m sad for you; how horrible must have been your childhood that everything normal that Elly does you say is psychological damaging to her kids. I have had a lot of abuses in my lifetime, I have dreamed about having the childhood that these kids are going through, instead of what I went through. Wanting your little ones to stay little, or wanting your older ones to become little again is normal, oh so normal.
A story every parent knows: Your child is born….you blink and they are walking…you blink and they’re in school…you blink and it’s graduation…you blink and they are marrying….you blink and you have grand children.
The moral of this story is enjoy the present and DON’T BLINK.
Awwwwww … this is just so sweet!!!!! It really tugs at my heartstrings today!
Now this is how I like to see Elly … a loving mother appreciative of her family and realizing how fleeting the time with her little ones really is … instead of the angry, yelling, teacup-throwing crazy lady she seems to be too much of the time!
sugie63,, i thinks you just quoted a Kenny Chesney song. Its actually named “Don’t Blink” .
As for growing up,, my son just turned 19 and moved 5 hours away to Ottawa,
Don’t worry, keltii, Ottawa isn’t so bad. I live across the river in Québec but I go to Ottawa a lot, just to drool over the architecture around “The Hill”
So true… My youngest just started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and it made me so sad. She reassured me though: “Mommy, I need to grow bigger, but I”ll always be your little girl.” Almost made me cry…
Now, that is just too sweet for words, lightenup. it sounds as though your daughter is wise and mature beyond her years, and I think it’s great that she understood how you felt and took the time to reassure you.
It really is a mixed feeling, isn’t it? And I’ll bet you’re still wondering where those first five years went, and thinking about how the next 13 years are going to go by even faster!
Thanks for all the nice comments on what I wrote. I apologize to Kenny Chesney. Didn’t mean to take his thoughts.
My husband and I laughed over what was said. We are now waiting (he’s 75 & I’m 71) for what is beyond. A new and exciting adventure I hope.
Our children (46 & 43) will be taking our place and life will go on and on. Hope things go as well for them as it did for us.
By the way, this song almost immediately came to mind for me. WARNING: Do NOT watch this unless you have a good supply of Kleenexes handy, as you will need them, especially if you have ever been a parent (or had one!)
I thought this was one strip where Elly was so human. She knows Lizzie will be leaving soon but just wants a little while where she can hold her on her lap like a baby. She knows how fast it went with Michael and knows how fast it will go with Lizzie. Turn around and they’re tiny, turn around and they’re grown. It goes so, so quickly. Hold her close Elly while you can.
I always thought that when someone said “You don’t understand you aren’t a parent,” that maybe I didn’t. But earlier this year I added it up: I’ve taught 30 years and if I’ve had ten children a year (I teach low incidence special ed.) I’ve been a parent for 300 kids! Elly or many of you will never have to hug students who know by the time they are grown up they will be blind. I think I’ve earned it by now. We’re all in this together.
CelticBCs about 14 years ago
They are always special, but after a while, they just won’t cuddle in your lap anymore!
legaleagle48 about 14 years ago
It goes by all too fast, Elly. Before you know it, she’ll be walking down the aisle with her childhood sweetheart (hey, it may have taken her 25 years, but to me, it still feels like 25 minutes!)
luckylouie about 14 years ago
Time to have another one. Maybe they’ll name her April, or something like that.
lightenup Premium Member about 14 years ago
So true… My youngest just started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and it made me so sad. She reassured me though: “Mommy, I need to grow bigger, but I”ll always be your little girl.” Almost made me cry…
nickmangieri Premium Member about 14 years ago
Just wait until they become teenagers or even worse, come back from college for summer break. My house is not a dorm!
lewisbower about 14 years ago
I see serious psychological problems. Why do you need to absolutely rule over another human being? Are you so unsatisfied with yourself that you need outside reinforcement? This could be much deeper. Since this is the 70s, read Betty and Gloria.
jkoskov about 14 years ago
There’s a simple answer… It’s called love. And it doesn’t have to go any farther than that.
peter0423 about 14 years ago
Have you ever been a parent, Lewreader? Seeing your little one grow up is happy and fulfilling beyond words, but there’s an element of grieving in it, too. You’re losing a unique and irreplaceable relationship with someone you love more than you ever thought you could love anyone, because they’re becoming a different person. With a different person you inevitably have a different relationship – it may be just as good, but it’s not the same.
If you really see serious psychological problems in any of this, you have my deepest sympathies. A person who has never experienced such a deeply-surrendered bond with another – child, spouse, friend, or even some higher cause – is no better off than a stone.
TexTech about 14 years ago
I am with you, Scaaty. I never had children but I can appreciate much of what you say. I deeply loved my high school sweetheart but she dumped me part way through college. It turns out it was the best thing in the world for her. The beautiful and fulfilled woman she became with her husband was a person I could not have helped her become.
The breakup really hurt at the time and I grieved for a long time. And my joy in the incredible person she became knows no bounds now. So yeah, Lewreader. I think you may be the one with problems here.
AZLILSIS about 14 years ago
Isn’t it funny how you can tell a person from their response? I agree, Lew needs to get a life and some experience. Why so bitter and negative? Life is worth living every day, go out meet people and enjoy you can even stay home and make friends over the internet. Enjoy every day, it may be your last.
newworldmozart about 14 years ago
I think it’s cute how Elizabeth bonded with Michael over the summer. She doesn’t want him to leave her behind. And Lew, I’m sad for you; how horrible must have been your childhood that everything normal that Elly does you say is psychological damaging to her kids. I have had a lot of abuses in my lifetime, I have dreamed about having the childhood that these kids are going through, instead of what I went through. Wanting your little ones to stay little, or wanting your older ones to become little again is normal, oh so normal.
Sugie63 about 14 years ago
A story every parent knows: Your child is born….you blink and they are walking…you blink and they’re in school…you blink and it’s graduation…you blink and they are marrying….you blink and you have grand children. The moral of this story is enjoy the present and DON’T BLINK.
peter0423 about 14 years ago
sugie63: What a wonderful way to put it! Thank you.
Gretchen's Mom about 14 years ago
Awwwwww … this is just so sweet!!!!! It really tugs at my heartstrings today!
Now this is how I like to see Elly … a loving mother appreciative of her family and realizing how fleeting the time with her little ones really is … instead of the angry, yelling, teacup-throwing crazy lady she seems to be too much of the time!
keltii about 14 years ago
sugie63,, i thinks you just quoted a Kenny Chesney song. Its actually named “Don’t Blink” . As for growing up,, my son just turned 19 and moved 5 hours away to Ottawa,
Magasek about 14 years ago
“DON’T BLINK”…reminds me of one of the best Doctor Who episodes ever!
But seriously, I’m with you sugie and scaaty (et al). Well said.
jiriji about 14 years ago
Don’t worry, keltii, Ottawa isn’t so bad. I live across the river in Québec but I go to Ottawa a lot, just to drool over the architecture around “The Hill”
legaleagle48 about 14 years ago
lightenup said, about 5 hours ago
So true… My youngest just started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and it made me so sad. She reassured me though: “Mommy, I need to grow bigger, but I”ll always be your little girl.” Almost made me cry…
Now, that is just too sweet for words, lightenup. it sounds as though your daughter is wise and mature beyond her years, and I think it’s great that she understood how you felt and took the time to reassure you.
It really is a mixed feeling, isn’t it? And I’ll bet you’re still wondering where those first five years went, and thinking about how the next 13 years are going to go by even faster!
Sugie63 about 14 years ago
Thanks for all the nice comments on what I wrote. I apologize to Kenny Chesney. Didn’t mean to take his thoughts. My husband and I laughed over what was said. We are now waiting (he’s 75 & I’m 71) for what is beyond. A new and exciting adventure I hope. Our children (46 & 43) will be taking our place and life will go on and on. Hope things go as well for them as it did for us.
legaleagle48 about 14 years ago
By the way, this song almost immediately came to mind for me. WARNING: Do NOT watch this unless you have a good supply of Kleenexes handy, as you will need them, especially if you have ever been a parent (or had one!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBWVWjdNWC0&feature=related
FourkidsThreeHorsesThreeDogsTwoCats about 14 years ago
My oldest started middle school and my youngest started kindergarten this year. I’ve never been the emotional type, but it is killing me!
Oh, I’m thinking Lewreader was being sarcastic. I don’t think he was being real sincere in what he posted. Just a guess.
gofinsc about 14 years ago
Let’s see how she feels when she starts school.
KimberlyT about 14 years ago
Aw! So sweet!
WebSpider about 14 years ago
That’s okay Lizzy… Mommy will be shouting at you just she shouts at the big kids soon…. :-) For now, enjoy it!
pattybf about 14 years ago
I thought this was one strip where Elly was so human. She knows Lizzie will be leaving soon but just wants a little while where she can hold her on her lap like a baby. She knows how fast it went with Michael and knows how fast it will go with Lizzie. Turn around and they’re tiny, turn around and they’re grown. It goes so, so quickly. Hold her close Elly while you can.
Purdey about 14 years ago
I always thought that when someone said “You don’t understand you aren’t a parent,” that maybe I didn’t. But earlier this year I added it up: I’ve taught 30 years and if I’ve had ten children a year (I teach low incidence special ed.) I’ve been a parent for 300 kids! Elly or many of you will never have to hug students who know by the time they are grown up they will be blind. I think I’ve earned it by now. We’re all in this together.