Right of Passage

As a parent, you remember almost all of your child's first.  You may not remember the exact date, but you can recall the first night they slept all night, the first night they spent the night away from home, first tooth, first step, everything.  Surprisingly, even when additional kids are added into the mix, these activities are just as clear for each of them.  Thankfully I have just have two sets of first to remember. 

There was a new first at my home yesterday, that also lends itself to being a southern summer right of passage.  The first time being stung.  My oldest son, age 6, ran into my bedroom yesterday evening after being outside with his dad and says "Mama look"  There is a nice little welp on the back of his leg.  I began to panic a little.  After all this was a first, not sure if he would have any type of reaction.  I was prepared for just such an instance, simply because we already have an Epi Pen Jr, and Benadryl on hand at all times, because of a peanut allergy.

After he strips down to a t-shirt and the 6 year old version of tighty whiteys, he is laying sprawled out on my bed with the best old fashioned sting remedy known to man.  A torn up cigerette, and a wet paper towel.  Within about 20-30 minutes, his pinky sized welp was totally gone, and is now a pin point size red spot.

Ahhhh the joys of spring and summer in the south.  Now my little sweet baby boy, is now an official Southern Little boy.