So my eldest daughter is 16 now. How odd.
Obviously, I expected that my children would eventually grow up. I have the same maelstrom of emotions brewing about them getting older as many parents do. Joy at watching them blossom, fascination with the unique way each of their minds work, and completely unsure about what exactly will occur for me once they are ready to strike out on their own.
I don’t know what will happen, and most of the time, I’m okay with that. There are days when I feel a bit panicky that they will both move away so far that I won’t get to see my grandkids grow up, or that things will go horribly wrong and they’ll never leave home. I kind of expected that sort of day on her 16th birthday, but no, not today. I had to text her Happy Birthday wishes, because she is out-of-state, pursuing what she loves. I thought that might sting a bit; make me feel old, or induce some nostalgia for the days when she was little. The only thing I felt was pride. She was off doing what she loved, doing it well, and not letting anything hold her down.
Now, at the end of my day, I sit. Just like so many other days, sitting in front of my computer at the end of my day, as the sun shows her face to the world. I reflect a little as I drink my Pinot Noir, about how it seems like it’s always been this way, and yet how much has changed. How quickly time changes the world, and those of us who live in it. How odd it is that we only really take notice of those changes, when we take the time to stop.
How very odd indeed.
Wow! I’m definitely not a mother, but this post was very mother-like! You must be a great mom to your children!
Very nice post and very well-written!
&&Thanks for checking out my blog! ^_^
I enjoyed reading your blog. The teenage years can be difficult, both for the teenager and their parents. However, growth is not possible without some level of difficulty, and the teenage years are certainly full of growth!
This is excellent: “However, growth is not possible without some level of difficulty, and the teenage years are certainly full of growth!”
Would you mind if I used it for a future post dealing with the difficulties of being a teenager? 😀 &&I just subscribed to your blog! :)) Hope you do it for mine too! Haha!
Absolutely, on both. 🙂
I enjoyed your blog because I recently moved out for college; I’m not sure what my parent’s experiences were but I’m sure it wasn’t too easy. We grow up and move out; just a cycle.
But as a son to a mother I really wanna tell you, accept the fact you’re okay with not knowing what will happen. It gives you security that you trust in your daughter.
My blog is
dcontreras.wordpress.com drop in when you can. I picked up your blog from a forum post.