Words of Wisdom from the women in my life

"Once she starts kindergarten, hold on to your hat, time flies. 
You won't believe how fast the years go by. First it's kindergarten
and then it's high school graduation."
Paraphrase of my Mom, Aunts, and Gram

When our daughter started kindergarten I honestly didn't believe the matriarchs in my family who warned me to cherish each moment because before I knew it, Mags would be getting a job, graduating, and heading off to college. Thankfully, graduation and college are not on the forefront at this point yet the first job and college research is. 

It's with mixed emotions that I accept and release for this next part of our journey as parents, and as the sister to one of America's missing children. This shouldn't impact the way in which I parent, but it does. I'm sure all parents struggle with their children growing up and becoming young adults. I'm positive that when you dropped your son or daughter off for their first job, you had reservations and butterflies. As you looked at colleges, you thought about the quiet in the house and the "empty nest". But...did you pray "Lord, protect him/her today and keep them safe." 

I'll be honest with you, to let our daughter grow up is one of the most difficult and wonderful things I do each day. I'm proud of her and the young woman she is becoming. Her dreams, goals, and energy to persevere encourage me on a daily basis. I'm thankful God blessed us with a daughter...now it's time to cut the strings and let her shine for Him.

Any parents out there relate to this bittersweet and mixed emotion blog? Excited to see the young adult blossom while grieving the child he/she once was. Butterflies in my stomach are more common lately. Reflection and memories flood my mind. Hugs, love, and laughter fill the moments in between. Letting go...

What is the best and most difficult part of letting your child grow into the young woman and man their designed to be?