Grow through life

Don’t go through life, grow through life. – Eric Butterworth

I'm sitting here wondering what it will be like in a couple weeks.  In a couple weeks, we'll be driving home after dropping off our youngest at college.  She'll be 6 hours away from home.  I wonder who will grow the most out of the experience?

I keep reminding myself, it is one of our roles as parents to help our children discover life and grow up.  I'm convinced that we as parents grow through each milestone just as much as the kids grow.  When our oldest moved away, I remember crying for a week (I hid it, no one knew).  But during that week, and the three years since she has moved, it's been a joy watching her discover life and grow up to be who she wants to be. As I parent I remain proud of her.  I grew too, which helps with this second round of letting go.

As the time quickly passes by this month, I'm sure there are days when I've simply gone through life.  More times than I'd like to admit to. You know, the days when it's a blur and it's hard to remember what did happen that day.  That's when I try to step back and take a breath and look around to see what has changed and what's left to do before she leaves.  I desperately want to help her get ready.  It's hard not to when you see the piles of half packed stuff.  I try, but then she quickly reminds me it's her journey, not mine.  Another opportunity for both of us to grow.

There's the part of me who has been there and done that that wants to tell her what to do and how to do it. But then, would she grow on her own and be who she's meant to be or would she be just taking on my perspective?  It's her life to discover, not mine to relive.  Lucky for both of us, she's confident enough to say "Mom, I've got this, it will be fine, just let me do it."

As parents, we think are our kids really grown up enough to be on their own when we first help them out the door to discover the big world out there?  Are we really grown up enough to let them go?  We have to, it's simply part of life.  If we look at it as an opportunity for both parties to grow, it is an exciting adventure where we can watch each other grow.  Letting go is always an opportunity to grow.

She quickly reminds me too...it'll be something to blog about....!  (Hint,  hint, time to get back to blogging mom!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Sunday - enjoy the moments where life gives you opportunities to grow!

I may not get glad flowers this year, but the marigolds
always bloom where they are planted.

That wrinkled leaf is still there....maybe it will
produce a flower.  Maybe it will in two weeks...
the flowers will be here reminding me of how
she'll bloom where she lands...6 hours away.
Glad she is discovering a new place to grow!