(Editor’s note: Welcome, Nancy Swanson, to GNMParents. Thank you for sharing with all of us.) – A friend and I have been talking recently about letting go of our babies. They’re no longer babies, but they are the youngest of our children. Her’s is a boy, mine a girl. Both 17. Both high school seniors.
Each of us has older children. She has several. All graduated from college. One married and a grandchild on the way. I have one older son. Still living at home while going to college. Single but talking about marriage.
Both of us are saying goodbye. Goodbye to high school plays and musicals and concerts and football games. Goodbye to the things that have kept us young–or aged us greatly.
We are saying goodbye to life as we have known it for the past 17 plus years since we each became mothers. We are letting go of the things that have become so routine. The people we see. the places we go, the events we attend, the things that moms do for and with their children.
We’re remembering how it was when they needed us for everything. And then, suddenly, they almost don’t need us at all. How did that happen? Are they really ready? Are we ready to let them go?
We’ve nurtured and disciplined and hugged and given time-outs. They’ve learned to read and write and do math I can’t even begin to understand. They work hard and play harder and give to others in ways that go far beyond anything I did at 17.
We’ll keep them and teach them for a few more months, and then we’ll let them go. Yes, they will be ready. Yes, we will be ready. We will let them go.
by Nancy Swanson
Photo graciously provided by jon.swanson, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
8 responses so far ↓
InTheFastLane // Nov 19, 2008 at 10:24 am
I goes faster than you think…eh? My oldest is 14 and I can’t believe that H.S. starts in less than a year. I still have plenty of time with littler ones (9 & 3), but letting go…whew…it happens.
paul merrill // Nov 19, 2008 at 11:57 am
Great post, Nancy!
A good reminder for me to savor the years ahead. Our youngest is 7 and oldest is 15. (A 12-yr-old is in the middle.)
nancy // Nov 19, 2008 at 7:10 pm
ITFL and Paul, thanks for your comments. I remember when people said “it will go so fast,” and I brushed off their words. Now, I understand. I don’t think I’ll regret being empty nesters, but…..
creative tension « Levite Chronicles // Nov 19, 2008 at 10:13 pm
[...] Sometimes we need to relax into the music. Nancy Swanson talks about letting go. [...]
Amy VanHuisen // Nov 20, 2008 at 8:38 am
Great to read you here…Part of the secret to the joy of empty nesting is to know you did your best with the kids in the nest..and when you see the fruits of that investment.
nancy // Nov 20, 2008 at 11:02 am
Thanks, Amy. We’ve seen the fruit with each other’s children. I know we’ve done well.
Anna // Nov 20, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Wow, Nancy, this is something I never thought I’d see on the WEB. Thanks for sharing your hard earned wisdom. Remember that letting go means your hand will be open to receive something new.
listening « Levite Chronicles // Nov 28, 2008 at 12:15 am
[...] and football games. Goodbye to the things that have kept us young–or aged us greatly. (You can read the rest here, [...]
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