Sunday, August 17, 2008

The future is now

From the minute our children are born--and even before--we moms instinctively want to protect them. That instinct drives so many of our decisions and actions. We know we can't control the world, but we try anyway.

We also know that the time will come when they'll leave home. When they're babies, it seems we have all the time in the world to be with them. We chronicle their achievements, their milestones. We cheer them on and help them learn. Time is on our side.

But the future comes more quickly than we'd imagined. We will no longer see their daily actions, their comings and goings, the choices they're making. Eighteen years fly by, and then suddenly they're on to new adventures. The instinct to protect doesn't go away, but we have to step back and take a new perspective on what it means to be a mom.

Pola portrait


This weekend we moved our son to college. He is so excited, so joyful, so ready. I already miss his presence in the house, his voice, the pounding of his feet down the stairs. But this is how it was meant to be. We give them our protection, our guidance, our unconditional love. And then, with our blessings, we have to let them go.

Note: The photo above was taken as a test for my "new" Polaroid 230 Land camera. Seems it works!

9 comments:

Carole Knits said...

I hope you're adjusting okay. It's not easy, I imagine.

Anonymous said...

One of the hardest things you will ever do but isn't it wonderful that he you and Mark have provided him the wings to fly.
Blessings to all of you.

Brenda

Jan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jan said...

I've been thinking about you all weekend and wondering how the big move went. I'm a week away from finding out how well I deal with it!

Anonymous said...

How exciting and scary! I'm in denial how close this is going to be for us too.

Anonymous said...

This is the most bitter-sweet post.

I hope you're both adjusting well.

hugs to you, L.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see the Polaroid camera is up and running! The photo looks great. Good luck to your son! It is a truly life changing experience for all involved.

Anonymous said...

No, don't let him go!!
Sigh...I know, I know. You are handling it much better than I am or ever will.

Maybe we can have tea when mine are ready to leave the nest and you can "talk me down."
;)
a.

ELK said...

Leslie your pieces are beautiful ~ and I wanted to let you know that I have a junior at college and amazingly it does get easier, especially when they are happy and thriving.