My picture for today must be the ever growing pile of stuff that is ready to be loaded in the car and taken to school. It seems that every time we turn around, we think of something else that is needed.
I'll miss her. Just like I miss her sister, who is away at college, too. I miss them because I really enjoy them. I'm proud of the women they are becoming. We tend to have a lot of fun when we are together. I think sometimes that we almost speak our own language, constructed from all of the good times we've shared - moments treasured in this mother's heart.
I know that there are many parents out there saying good bye to their child for the first time. It's not easy, and yet, it is necessary. It is time. You have done your work and poured in what you could. Did it take? Yes, it did. The good, the bad AND the ugly! It is time for them to be on their own. Some things they will be prepared for and some things they will have to learn on their own. That's the way it is for all of us.
Life experience is a powerful teacher. I pray that we have trained up our children in such a way that it saves them from the worst of heartaches and pains, while providing them the coping skills to deal with the tough stuff and critical decisions they are sure to encounter.
When I sent my first two off to college two years ago, they left as young daughters, ready to get out there, pseudo-solo, and make their way. They have done well. There have been ups and downs, laughter and tears. We have walked it all together - not always easy to do when you are long distance and can only sit and listen.
It is difficult, sometimes knowing that they have to walk a road of disappointment, confusion, frustration or the unknown and the only way through is to just keep moving. As this began to happen, I tried to assume the role of adviser, rather than parent. Being a listener and sounding board, rather than an instructor can be a helpful, yet difficult thing, but the rewards are great. Sure, they still need me to be a parent now and then - they're not completely grown! The role is shifting, though, more towards that of mentor/friend than guardian/caretaker. Now, they come and go from home still daughters, but now there is something more. They are my friends. I am their friend. That is why I miss them when they're gone.
We will continue to pack and leave tomorrow for school. We will laugh and enjoy our day together. I'll help her settle in and she will reassure me that she is just fine. We will say good bye (or in our language it will be "So long! Farewell! Auf wiedersehen....) and we will look forward to the next time we see each other. That's the way it should be, don't you think?
Just because that's the way it should be, doesn't make it any easier.
Oh, how I love my girls! ;-)
understand completely!
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