I wasn’t as nervous about it as I thought I’d be. Yes, she was being chaperoned. But it was more than that. I had faith in her. I knew that she’d take care of herself. Her father and I have tried to instill independence in her. However, she is innately self-reliant. Even when she was a toddler, if she fell or hurt herself, she generally wouldn’t cry. She just wanted to get back to what she was doing. She learned to put her own seatbelt on in the car seat and would get angry if I tried to do more than check it at the end. As soon as she could walk she wanted to push the stroller rather than ride in it. Her mantra was “I do, I do, I do!”
It gives me a pang to think about her leaving home. The next few years are going to be a transition to preparing to eventually turn over the reins of her life to her. I’m learning to be ok with that. But I’m glad that it isn’t happening tomorrow because I’m not quite ready yet. But I’m working on it.
Your blog made me think (sadly, perhaps for the first time...) about how my mom met my departure from the nest. My brother had left home (but not town) many years before, but in the late summer of 1989, he, his then GF/now wife, and I packed up and headed east for grad school (bro & GF) and college (me). Mom went from having me full time and my brother an easy 10 minute drive away to zero peeps around. On my side of things, just like with your daughter, my eyes were bright and I leapt eagerly to the coming adventure. I suspect my mom's eyes might have been bright with tears. At any rate, it's eye OPENING to think about the nest from a 360 perspective.
ReplyDeleteGlad your little peep had a good time in the big city and glad she made it home again safe and sound!
Thanks Keely. It's not easy to let go when every instinct tells you to protect them. But I guess it's nature's way.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Lisa. I am sure she will conquer the world when she takes the reins. ;0) You've don't a great job of raising an independent, self-reliant young woman who, apparently, loves a little adventure. I was very much that girl, too, at her age. My mom had a hard time letting go, however, she was supportive and nurturing. Because of that, I couldn't wait to talk to her and visit often, sharing my adventures with her. Your daughter will do the same, no doubt about it. Good luck to you both.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mackenzie. I do hope that our relationship grows over the years. I was teary-eyed reading your comment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartfelt post, Lisa. Thank you for sharing it. It sounds like your daughter loves adventure, but she also knows there's no place like home. I suspect she'll be like a lot of us: off on her own, but always ready to call Mom and chat over even the small things. Love is a connection that location can't ruin.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nichole. It's fun to watch her discover things but hard to think of letting go. I hope she always knows that she's loved.
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