Swim Meet

Gavin competed in a swim meet last night at our Wynlakes pool. I volunteered to help out and Shannon ended up taking my place. He's way more precise at keeping time on a clock than I am. He, having been a teacher at Squadron Officer College, where the students are constantly in some sort of timed competition. I ran back and forth to Gavin and Shannon bringing drink and food. We arrived at 3:40pm and didn't leave until 8:10pm. It was nearly 100 degrees out and far too long to be at a swim competition in my opinion, but I've never been a fan of competitive sports. I sat with Gavin for a bit and he gave me my first "parental shun" with a, "Mom, can you leave? We'd like a little privacy please." I apparently was entering a no-parent-zone. 

 Later, I came to check on him and another mother (one who apparently was allowed to sit with her children without being shunned) introduced herself and asked, "Are you Gavin's mom?" I said, "Yes." She replies, "Oh well I see you are feeding him something healthy." (Not really, it was pool food; chicken quesadilla, tuna sandwich, and humus and pretzels, because I forgot to bring my own food from home not realizing the FIVE hours I would be at the pool this evening). She proceeds, "Gavin was telling me that I was feeding my kids 'unhealthy foods'. He's right, but I normally don't feed them chicken fingers and fries for dinner. I did share grapes with him. That's healthy." Not really sure how to react to this I laughed and said, "That sounds like Gavin." 

 Thinking to myself, my kid has taken on way too many of my traits. He even tells people exactly what's on his mind with no filter. Does a filter come with age? Maybe not. Either way I didn't have the energy to apologize for his rudeness, nor should the lady probably be feeding her kid chicken fingers (that aren't probably chicken anyways) and french fries. I settled with the thought that my kid has learned what is good for you and what is bad for you and maybe his concern for others health isn't the worse thing in the world. And then this thought entered my mind, I'm always saying I wish I could clone myself. Oh shit, I think I already have. Problem is, the clone, allows me to see parts of myself I'm not sure I like. And then, I'm sure he was sent here to teach ME something. Will I ever learn?

Footnote: At age 18, you eat like crap when you aren't with me.  All I can hope and pray for is that you will someday soon, return to what you learned from your mama about food.