like e.t. and elliot

that symbiotic relationship

that by definition

if I remember correctly from
homeschool biology

involves two different species

who depend on each other

sometimes to sustain life.

Okay,

so maybe not that

but close.

That psychological connection

is what I'm getting at.

Remember when E.T. would feel

what Elliot was feeling

and vice-versa?

Yeah...that.

Some might call it

a mother-son bond.

Of course

I feel that connection with all my boys

but

some of my guys are more vocal

and will confide all

they are going through.

Not Joe.

He's more private and quiet.

That strong silent type

that'll keep you guessing.

When we explored

The Catcher in the Rye

this past year

Joe declared it his favorite book.

For those who know nothing about its history

(not referring to the crazy associations

that the Internet has spawned )

it is quite simply a novel about

Holden Caufield

a young man who is at that

pivotal point in life

torn between adolescence and adulthood.

Joe related strongly.

Isn't that always the precursor

to loving a book?

In a world where kids

grow-up fast...

Joe was happily rooted in 

childhood.

Don't get me wrong

I saw the changes he was going through

the eagerness to accept more responsibility

the willingness to try new things

and explore the world

that fidgetiness I've witnessed in my teen boys

that screams out

"I want more"

but

change is a tripping stone for many.

Joe among them.

Count me in

too.

But it is inevitable.

Now Joe would challenge that statement

with a

why?

Celebrating his eighteenth year

was a quiet family event.

Graduating from High School

passed equally so

as Joe told me

he didn't think it was 

deserving of a big party.

(Mom still disagrees

but will honor his wishes)

This has been a long

introduction

to the point of this post.

This past week

Joe's big bro Josh

came over with some news.

The construction company he

 (and his Uncle Doug...cousins Gabe and Matt)

works at

OCP

wondered if he'd be interested in a job.

Although he didn't say it 

as I was jumping up and down

no 

was written all over his face.

Understand...

he doesn't shy away from hard work.

He loves physical challenges.

He also loves his free

easy-going

lifestyle

that allows him to stay up until

sunrise

playing PS games

waking at 3ish

(yep...that's p.m.)

and 

helping around the house...

Oh, and he does...

a lot!

A life that allows him to

play when he wants

and work when he wants.

Side jobs and scrapping part-time

had been serving him well.

But I did see 

something else.

A teetering.

A glimpse that had him wondering

what it would be like

heavily sprinkled with

I like things the way they are.

Fear of the unknown.

This job is a full-time position.

My stomach started to cramp.

My heart raced a bit.

I BEGAN HAVING DIGESTIVE ISSUES.

Coincidentally

so did Joe.

We are suffering together

as we navigate through the

firsts.

We've survived the 

first day at the office

for safety tests

paper work

I'm sure a bit of teasing encouragement

from Uncle Doug

and

drug testing.

Today is his first

official day

on the job

where he will be doing grunt work

mixing mud

hoisting 

lifting

climbing scaffolding 8 stories high...

he can't wait for that part!

Meanwhile

my stomach hurts.

Maneuvering the twists and turns

of these monumental moments...

first day

 first week

first month

as we make our way to normal

(for us, anyway)

and feel the

release

with that 

first

payroll check.

"E.T. phone home!"

Being mom.

It never gets easier.