I remember in 2000 I bought a devotion type book entitled “Growing Little Women: Capturing Teachable Moments with Your Daughter.” It was designed for moms to work through with their 9-12 yr old daughters. My daughter was 9 at the time. This is what it said on the back cover—“It seems just yesterday you cuddled your baby girl. Your heart filled with hopes and dreams for her future, and you wanted to give her everything she would need to live a fulfilling life and grow to love God. But season followed season, and now her years under your wing are suddenly half over.” It shocked me and I cried. Half over! How could that possibly be??? It was going too fast!
Today she is an 18 year old and tomorrow we move her into her college dorm room. Although I am so very proud of the young lady she has become, I still think it went way too fast. She is excited to begin college life and spread her wings on her own. I am trying not to dampen that excitement with my sadness at her leaving. I know that all mothers face this challenge eventually. You’d think after 18 years we’d be ready for a break and glad to see them move on, but that’s not the way it works out.
I saw a news report the other day about “helicopter moms”. I had never heard that term before, but they used it to describe moms who hover over their kids even after they leave home. So now, on top of all the other expectations our kids have for us, I guess we can add “flying.” If you hear propeller sounds when I am around at least now you’ll know why 🙂
I know there will be a day when I have to let go and trust God to take care of my kids…right now I’m not ready for that day and I am lifting you, Pat and Christina up to Him. She is a very smart woman of God and I feel confident she will do great things. She looked so beautiful today.