A Different Way

I guess you could say that I have a different way of looking at things. Several of my friends have kiddo's ready to graduate and head off to college. Most, not all, are getting really weepy. Weepy has never really been my style. I'm not saying either is good or bad, it's just different.

I was thinking back to Leah's first day of pre-school. Other kids and mommies were crying. Leah barely looked back at me as she smiled, waved, and said, "see you later". There was a little twinge but it didn't really bother me, she was ready for this next stage and so was I. I think it is probably going to be the same in 2 years when she graduates high school and junior college. I really feel that we have been purposeful in letting her go a bit at a time. She's mostly ready to leave the nest now. She can budget, cook for herself, clean, do laundry, and is almost ready to drive (we have about 30 minutes of night driving to get in). She has a good head on her shoulders and is fairly responsible.

This is an exciting time for her, as it was for me at that age. I was thinking about the analogy that has been going around in Christian circles for a while now about giving your children "roots and wings". By this time I'm hoping the roots are down deep enough that when the storms come (and they will come) she has a faith that will see her through anything. It's time to start giving those wings a few trial runs before she is ready to fly off.