“Sunrise Sunset” Sings the Six-Year-Old Boy

My son’s birthday is in one week. He knows this is bittersweet for me. He knows how “Happy!” I am and how he’s going to be such a “Big boy!” but he also sees through me like a newly Windexed window.

“What’s wrong?” he asks all innocent. Yah, right. He totally knows.

“Nothing!” I smile (my eyes all watery).

“You’re sad.”

“No! I’m so happy for you!” I insist a little too enthusiastically. He stares at me. Waiting. Little shit. “Okay, I am happy you’re growing up healthy and strong. And I’m really proud of you…” I can’t finish. Fresh. Tears.

“I’m not a baby anymore but I’ll always be your baby.”   

Frickin’ seriously? He’s unbelievable. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he starts singing “Sunrise Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. No word of a lie.

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

If you don’t make it through the whole song, skip to the end…my heart felt like that glass.