I walked out of work last night reading a text from my
daughter, “Mom, Krissy is leaving for school tomorrow
L” In that moment I felt
my own heart take a little bit of a dive, not for the same reasons, but because
it sent a flash of memories through my mind of this beautiful little girl with
the sweet smile, and the stark realization that she is not a little girl anymore,
she is a young woman embarking on a whole new course of life. I have had the
pleasure of knowing her since birth, and although from a distance for the past
ten years, I have still been gifted with her presence and spirit, directly and
indirectly, through her best friend, my daughter. It’s a whole new chapter of
life, but one that I am sure will bring her so much joy and life experience!
I know that my baby girl is hurting and conflicted with
sadness and pride and love for her cousin and best friend; and that part of it
gets me a little emotional because I hate that for her, but secretly, or not so
much, I am hoping it brings her closer to her mom too, because now my amazing
niece will be just a few miles away attending the awesome UWGB.
J
This morning my best friend called me on her way to take her
son, one of my favorite men in the world, to college. I listened to her
talk about her concerns for him, her pride in him, her overall love as a mother
and it made me smile. And keeping with Walton devotion, like I have always
known this family to have, grandma and grandpa were in one vehicle, mom and Al
in another, and Andy driving his own as they made the journey to the dorms. I
pictured the convoy in my mind and it made me smile; no matter what they all
endure, I have never known a family so completely and constantly devoted to one
another and to taking care of each other the way they do; perhaps part of why I am
so blessed to be considered part of that family. I have watched Andy grow over
the last 10 ½ years, and go through growing pains emotionally, through phases
of exploration and reflection, and as I sat with him last October when his
little sister passed and I had a conversation with him, I realized even more
what an amazing and intelligent young man he is and how blessed his family, his
friends and the world are to have him. My life has been blessed by his heart
and his depth and I am so proud of him.
After all of the sentimental reflection and the trip down
memory lane with each of these young’uns in my mind; my Mom side kicked in and
I thought about the anguish that we as mothers have as we watch our children
leave home and begin something without us, something that we wont always have
control over, something that is beyond great for the kids, but so terrifying to
a mom as we let go. I listened to my best friend, my sister, my greatest ally,
and my heart swelled for her, because not once did I hear her talk about
herself even though I know she is feeling this so deeply inside. I’ve already
taken this step with my children and have had to watch them leave and start on
their own and the goodbyes never get easier for me when they come and go again;
but I take comfort in the fact that life is like this; it offers us chances to
reach and grow every minute and that isn’t limited to age or background, its
something we ALL get to go through.
I am SO proud of you Andy and Kristina! I am so beyond happy
for you that you are not afraid to step out of your comfort zones and go
explore what life has waiting for you! I have no doubt that this will be just
one of your many journey’s in life that will forever change and bless you as
long as you over come fear and walk head up and chest out into the world and
say
HERE I AM; LET’S DO THIS!
And to the 2 beautiful Mom’s who are growing through this
too; Be Strong and know that you aren’t really letting go, you’re just giving
them room to roam and find themselves, but they will always know the way back
home and no distance or obstacles in between will cut the ties that keep a
mother and child connected.
My Love to all of you-
08/29/13
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