This has been a season of letting go: a school friend had to let go of her older son (an 8-year-old whose life was cut short by a terrible accident); a sister has to let go of her home and a younger son who is shipping off to join the military; and my husband has to let go of the fact that his only daughter is no longer a little girl.
As do I.
I tell my children that regardless of what age they are, they will always be my "babies," as I'm sure many of you have said to your own offspring. Yet, the enormity of my daughter starting high school in just a few short weeks is hitting me finally. She started marching band practices last week, and this weekend she is headed off to the mountains for four days of intensive marching band camp.
Sigh.
This isn't the first time she has been gone from home. In sixth grade, she and her classmates went to Sea World in California for three days, and she regularly attends church youth group retreats for three days in the mountains.
And yet.........somehow............this is different.
Soon, she will be caught up in juggling marching band practices, football games, choir practices, honors classes, cafeterias so crowded that buying lunch will be impossible without being late for class, and homework like she's never had before. My son will be beginning his middle school career, with no slack on the homework deadlines, a crew of all male teachers, and greater expectations placed on him.
My children................are growing so fast. And I can't stop the clock. I can't stop time.
My babies are not babies any more.
Time to let go.
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It is so difficult to have that realization, to feel sad about it, but then to also be joyful at seeing all your years of hard work raising them now come to fruition. You should be proud!
Rick: I'm very proud of the "young adult" that my daughter is becoming, and I'm proud of the "young man" that my son occasionally lets show. ;) I just realized that I have spent so much time with my daughter all these years, and now my time with her is slipping away. She has been at my right hand for so long, always shadowing me and taking care of things for me (with and without my asking); it's been a big awakening to me that I need to let go of her more. Soon, she will be college (where? who knows?), and she won't be my shadow any more. She will be young adult in her own right. I'm proud of, but sad for me. That's life, right?
My oldest granddaughter just turned 19 and my son will be 40 on Sunday. Yep, time marches on.
Have a terrific day. :)
Sandee: Indeed it does. I just wish we could slow it down sometimes. ;)
We never let go, we let the leash out further and further is all...
No matter what, they are our 'babies'...not gonna change
Vinny: LOL - I agree with you on that one! They will always be my babies, but there will be a time when the leash is stretched waaaaaaaaaaaaay out to heeeeere.....
I don't know that you have to let go...maybe just not hold on quite so tight?
So sorry. It's too bad we can't slow time down. My third child starts kindergarten in the fall and that makes me sad. I dread the day when my oldest leaves for college, but at least that's eight years away.
((((Hugs)))) High school will be a shocker. My oldest will be an 8th-grader this year.
Oh my, what a difficult time. But, you still have her for several more years, so enjoy every second. I have a feeling that the proverbial "empty nest syndrome" may be hard for you, my friend! As it is for all wonderful mothers who love their children to the moon and back :)
Enjoy these days with both your kids!
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