Masterpiece.

It is so hard to let go of my “almost all grown-up” children.  I’ve held them soooo close to my heart for so many years, through all of the ups and downs of their childhood.  When our oldest daughter went off to college last year, it literally felt like tearing out a part of my heart. 

But I’ve begun to realize (after some time) that this is merely a different phase for her, and for all of us.  We are still a part of her life, but I must learn to let go and trust that she has been given all she needs to begin sculpting her own life.

When she calls and asks for advice, I am glad to give it.  When she tells us about the things she’s learning, I drink it in because I have absolutely loved seeing her grow and begin to form her own opinions and throw herself into her own interests.  I may not be there physically for every day of her life, but I still get to be a part of it because she still needs me … just in different ways.

For the first 18 years of her life, I guess I believed I was helping “create” her, but this quote by J. Warren Welch reminded me (well, it actually slapped me across the face a tad …) that I actually now get the privilege of watching her create a life of her own.  I will be here to guide her and to advise her when she needs it, but I’m going to loosen the reins and let her be the driver now.