Letting Go

Tomorrow is a day of bittersweet joy that will, I'm sure, be mixed with tears. I am driving my daughter, the former baby of the family, to the airport. For her, this is an exciting new journey. For me, it's another lesson in letting go.

I still remember her first day at kindergarten. She held my hand and wanted me to walk her in. I lingered in the hall so she could see me. But, the next day.


The very next day.

We walked to the sidewalk in front of the school. She turned to me and said...

"Mom, you're embarrassing me!". 

She let go of my hand and confidently, courageously walked in all by herself. Tears ran down my cheeks as I turned away smiling so proudly. Even then, she was teaching me to let go.


I raised her to be the brave, independent woman that she has become. I knew that one day she'd go her own way, choose her own path. I just secretly hoped it would be closer to home.

Tomorrow, I'll hug her tight. Try to squeeze in just a little more love. I'll smile through my tears and this time...
I won't care if I'm embarrassing her.