My first born daughter is 17 years old now, so you know what that means.  Yep you guessed it, Graduation year!  This will be a very trying time for me as a mother and I’d hate to even imagine what what her Dad is going through right now.  He’ll alway see her as his little girl.  As for me, well she’s been with me the longest out of all the children.  I remember when she was very young, even then she never acted her age, at least 10 year before her time.  She has always been the bossy, talkative lil fashion diva that she is this very day.  Only now she’s wearing MY stilettos (Ha! there nerve).  Anyway, the reason for this piece is because she is going on a school trip across the world for an entire week. With her this trip, it’s helping me realize that soon I will have to deal with more then just a week at a time. She’ll soon be off to college!

As we begin having children, we watch them grow and learn.  We watch them get bigger and better all the while.  But, when it finally hits us that we now have grown children before us, as a mother you feel the tare all over again.  Accept this time there is no dialating  required.  This time the tare is upon your heart.  The time has come to let go.

Yes she’s smart, beautiful and has full success ahead but she’s still me baby right? Right?

As I return from my temper tantrum of not wanting to let go, I realize that we have done our portion.  We have taught her to be the best she can be. To also, never settle for nothing more then success in reaching goals.  We have taught her to respect others and herself and demand respect from those less fortunate of understanding.  We have taught her to live and love as if yesterday was the last day to show it and strive for the new day with wings as eagles.

I guess this makes the tare a little easier to bare.  Kind of like ripping a band aid off real fast so that it doesn’t hurt.  However, that fact is that even when you rip it fast it still hurts a little.  But, knowing just when to close your eyes and let go makes all the difference in the world.

To fellow parents of almost adult children, hang in there. We’ll get through this together.  There is no way I’m the only mom feeling this way.

To you Accaliah, Mom and Dad are very proud of you.  You have made our lives golden since the first day you were created.  Now please forgive momma, but if you think this is bad, just wait until your actual graduation day…I’m sure I’ll be a complete mess then too.

Love ya sweetie have fun! j/k