gift of wings

As a mother, part of our job is to raise our children well so that some day, we can give them wings to fly into the magnificence of life. What we cannot prepare ourselves for, no matter what anyone else says, is that it comes sooner than we anticipate.

And it's not easy.

Friday night, we stood outside a charter bus that would transport our oldest daughter states away for a class trip, knowing she wouldn't return home until Sunday night. Even though we knew she would have the time of her life, it was (and is) very hard to give her the gift of wings so she can experience the world around her, without mommy and daddy nearby. She is just twelve (and a half!) years old. MY baby girl is so far away. She has been texting me and calling a often. I love that she is thinking about me while she is away. And yes, she is having the most incredible time with her friends.

The main thing that we were blessed with that has soothed me is that fact that Emily is rooming with a teacher. A very cool teacher. And she is very happy to be rooming with an adult. And they will (and have been) spending the day together at the park. It surely has eased some worry from my over active imagination. You know, the what ifs and the stupid thoughts that send you into a panic because you cannot be there to protect your child?

Um. Yeah. I have been through every silly thought imaginable. Unnecessarily so, at this point.

I must learn to rely on faith a bit more.

She went on her very first roller coaster and then some! I wasn't there to experience that with her. Yeah, I know, big deal, right? Not really. Moms like me want to be there all the way for all the "firsts"...it's just the way it is. And when we aren't, well, it can be a little emotional. I want the best for my children. I want to watch with crazy pride as they soar into their future as young women. And have faith that even when I am not nearby physically, I am always nearby in spirit.

And this is only one weekend away... can't even imagine the wreck I will be when she graduates!

The gift of wings....a beautiful thing.

and a somewhat scary thing too.