My son left this morning at 7:30AM to meet his friends at the train station. They were heading to the Pride Parade in NYC. He was very excited - as it is the first time he's attending ever. I, on the other hand, am a nervous wreck.
He's gone to NYC before with friends. He's even taken the train without me, too. But even though he is heading to one of the most tolerant cities in the world and it is 2012, I'm kind of afraid for his safety.
The reality is that the world is often not a nice place to those who are deemed "different" by societal standards. Besides ridicule and nasty rhetoric, physical violence can also be a reality. It doesn't take a heck of a whole lot to push a crazy, bigoted person over the edge, it really doesn't.
I know I hugged him goodbye, smiled and waved as he pulled out of the driveway to connect with his buddies, but I'll literally be on pins and needles until he pulls back in. Seriously.
He's almost 19. Is there an age or a point where the mommy worry switch gets flipped off? Sigh...
Hi, Criss - I'm just seeing this, LOL. He had a great time - and has been every year since. I still worry, but it gets easier. I may even go with next time :-)
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