Eighteen is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9. Three of these divisors (3, 6 and 9) add up to 18, hence 18 is a semiperfect number. Eighteen is the first inverted square-prime of the form p.q2 . .
It is a heptagonal number, and as the sum of the first three pentagonal numbers, it is a pentagonal pyramidal number. It is also the sum of the totient function for the first seven integers.
Eighteen is the second abundant number with the aliquot sum of 21 (117% in abundance) in the aliquot sequence (18,21,11,1,0) thus being the first composite number in the 11-aliquot tree. Eighteen is the aliquot sum of only one number the square 289.
In base 10 it is a Harshad number.
18, aside from 0, is the only number that equals twice the sum of its decimal digits.
18 = eighteen
Okay, I admit, I'm a complete sap. I have cried on each and every birthday for as long as I can recall. And I recall them all. I remember his first birthday and how exciting it was. I recall his 2nd birthday and how small and intimate it was. His 3rd birthday I was pregnant and we were building our very first house, we would be moving in just a few weeks afterwards. Now my little booger stands over 6 feet tall and is 18 years old. Just typing those words makes me cry.
The tears now flow rapidly and silently over my cheeks as I think to the past and all that was and to the future and all it holds. My heart is breaking, he can't be this old, he just can't be.
His story is long and difficult and nothing with him has been simple or easy, but he means more to me than words could ever express. I will try to share this with you all dear bloggers, but bear with me as I can hardly see the screen through the flowing tears.
Once upon a time, in a land not far away at all, there lived a girl. This girl met a boy and fell madly in love. She had found her happily ever after, her prince charming. Then one day the girl found out she was going to have a baby. Prince Charming wasn't quite charming and the girl was all alone.
One night the girl awoken to find she was very very sick and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors told her that she was hemorrhaging and in labor, but the baby wasn't due for 3 more months. The doctors were blessed, the girl was blessed, the baby was blessed as so many people lifted them up in prayer. The girl remained in the hospital for a week and then went home, but was forced to stay in bed all the live long day. Her mom took very good care of her and the girl listened to the doctors and all was well.
Finally the doctors said it would be okay to have the baby, so the girl was allowed to get out of bed and be relatively active. That was Thursday afternoon. On Friday the girl went into labor. The girl was blessed by the many people who loved her and she did not need pain medicine for she never felt any pain. The baby was born 6 hours after arriving at the hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz., he was 6 weeks early, and was born on 10-19-90 at 10:19 p.m.
The girl loved her baby and the baby boy loved his mama.
Today that little boy is 18 years old and his mama is so sad to see him becoming an adult because it means he doesn't need his mama anymore and soon some other girl will fill up his heart in all the places that his mama did.
So, there is my story. Yes, I'm still crying. In fact, I've been crying for days. I guess I'm not good at this letting go part, but I'm trying. I'm trying, it's not easy, and my heart is breaking.
14 comments:
Oh, boy, I can relate, even though my son is only 13. I was just talking to a friend about this, who saw him for the first time in a long time yesterday and was stunned to see that he's taller than I am now. Yes, he's taller than I am and is looking more like a grown man every day. It's more than a little startling to me, since I feel like I was carrying him everywhere in my arms only yesterday.
I'm proud of the person he's turning into, but there are still some days when I wonder where that little boy went.
Happy birthday to yours. Eighteen is such a milestone! -Julia
Me too, I can relate. I cry every time we sing happy birthday to her!!
Happy Birthday to your wonderful son!
Manuela
Oh you poor thing...I so understand how hard it is. I remember when each of mine hit that age...It's scary to let go. But ya gotta trust that all those years of great parenting will pay off and they'll be fine. The getting older part I still haven't figured out how to cope with though lol.
Omigosh, what a sweet, touching post. My daughter is about to turn 10 (double digits!) and just THAT is kickin' my butt. [sniff]
Have a wonderful celebration...
:^) Anna
P.S. Thanks for stopping by this morning!
I am a sap just like you. I love my babies like crazy, and although I have some big plans once they are out of the house (travel, cruises, eating out all the time...), I know that once the reality hits me, I'll be a mess.
It is NOT true that your boy will stop needing you. My husband is 34 years old, and we still need his mom everyday. My sweet MIL is one of my very best friends, and if you play your cards right, you'll be that person to your son and his wife someday.
What a blessing to have such good memories to look back on.
I'm crying right along with you, and I don't even know you. Great post.
My first Prince Charming turned out not to be so charming either. And I had my daughter alone. Thirty-four years ago next month. And now I'm 51 and spend my time in the gardens. Feeling so lucky that the "prince charming" went on his merry way and left me behind. Because I would just be mortified if I'd married that fool!
Brenda
What a sweet and touching birthday post! Happy Birthday to your son!
~Kelli
Awww!! Happy Birthday to your grown up boy! My oldest son is 11 now, and it makes me sad and happy when he passes more milestones. :o)
This was great! My youngest is almost 20 but I remember the feeling of my eldest turning 18 and even before that waiting to pick her up from a school dance thinking, I am not old enough to be here waiting for a high schooler at a dance! Great blog you have :)
I have been there. On those days, I can't think of anything other than how wonderful he is. Then he does something so incredibly idiotic and jerky and I have to remind how I almost died birthing him....Happy Birthday #1 and don't do anything stupid that makes your mom remind you the price she had to pay to get you here!!!
Great post!!!!
I feel for you. I keep telling my kids to just slow down and stop growing, but to no avail. I've had no such luck. I try and just enjoy them everyday, although it's easy to forget that goal.
Happy birthday to your big guy. No matter what, he'll always need you.
Awwwww....18 is big. Hang in there, momma.
Happy Birthday to him! He may be 18 but he'll always be your baby!
Your son will ALWAYS need you!! No matter how old he gets!! :)
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