It's become sort of a tradition around here that my oldest son and I started when the Myst games first came out. I usually get them for him for his birthday or Christmas and we spend weeks together on them trying to figure out the clues and puzzles and ultimately, how to beat the game.
I think he was only 10 or 11 when we first started this quest and we kept a little journal of all the mysteries we figured out. Neither of us would play it without the other and we'd even talk about the game and what we were going to try the next time we played it. It was something only him and I shared.
This year, the final chapter of the game was released. I got it for us for Christmas. He loaded it yesterday and we decided to play after everyone else went to bed last night. I got a bag of chips and two Cokes and we parked ourselves in front of the computer ready to delve into new worlds and break unbelievably hard codes.
Right from the get go, it seemed different than normal. I usually sit back and point to the screen saying things like, "ooh, try that switch," or "wait, did you see those numbers? they must be a clue, let's write them down". He navigates through the worlds and keeps track of the journals. I'm not sure if he didn't want to play last night, but he seemed more annoyed at my observances than anything else. He didn't want to try my suggestions or maneuver where I thought we should go. Eventually, he feigned a stomach ache and retired to bed.
Having a slight headache myself, I decided to hit the hay too after checking on the baby. I accidentally woke him up and he stayed up with me for almost two hours. This I didn't mind, because he was being unbelievably cute and unoridinarily cuddly. It did, however, get me thinking about my older son and how his time with us at home is coming to an end.
Just as this is the last segment in the Myst series, soon the last days of Steve living at home will be here. Now he'll only be 17 next month and he at least has one full year left of school, but the day will come when my first baby will not be with me all the time. The disappointment I felt last night over the early ending of our play time is only a prelude to the sorrow I'll feel when he moves on.
"Myst - End of Ages" is an ironically appropriate title to finish our tradition.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
It is very bittersweet watching children grow up. I know we have to let go and give them that room to fly, but I'm with you...it's going to be tough at take off.
Glad to see you back! Hugs..
Mine's only six and my mind can't help but wander ahead to the day he moves out. Ah well. Hopefully he'll be a wonderful man, and he'll live right next door like he thinks he'll want to now. :)
You KNOW I get all verklempt about this stuff.
I don't know how to spell that. But you know what I mean.
Steve's a wonderful young man, sis. You should be so proud of him. I know you are!
I know that you know what I'm going to say. I'll just leave it there.
Ah Naive, it is all part of the plan. It is never easy.....our children are so much a part of us that we feel as if part of us is being ripped out when the leave our home for the last time and head on to thier new digs, whether it be college or a first apartment or a home of their own with a spouse! Even though this is what you raised him to do.....be independent and self sufficient.....it is very painful letting go!
If you are lucky, as I am, you will have nurtured a wonderful relationship to build a new kind of friendship on. As Lori said, it is bittersweet but well worth everything you have gone through in the past to reach this point in your lifes together.
You have done a good job with this first born of yours. I am very proud of you and him and I love you both more than I can say!
for some reason, I could never understand Myst. . . I tried and I tried, and I just didn't have the patience. So sadly, I gave up and the game collected dust.
Very poignant.
I'm dreading those days Naive... My heart breaks when I think that a time is going to come that he won't want to kiss and hug me in front of his friends....or have me take him to school....I can't imagine how bittersweet it will feel to see him evolve into a completely self sufficient man. A beautiful thing....the sign of a Mom's job well done...but bittersweet none the less.
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
Post a Comment