It’s Friday! It’s been a busy week, and I am gratefully winding it down with an all day meeting out of town.
I need my weekend to regroup!
But first, a quick writing exercise prompted by Lisa Jo over at The Gypsy Mama.
This week’s word: grasp
I have been the leader of my little family of three for nine years. Our trio is exceptionally close, but the reality is that my boys are beginning to grow up and away from our nuclear family.
It’s how it should be.
But it doesn’t make it any less difficult.
The boys are far more independent than they used to be. I no longer must be the one to make the sandwich, pour the juice, wipe the face, pack the bag.
They have their own opinions, likes, dislikes and issues.
They do their own homework, help with the house and even get themselves to activities now.
Every now and again, I feel like I reach for them and grab empty air. They’ve moved a symbolic step beyond my grasp.
At first, that emptiness takes my breath away and makes me want to cry in deep gasping sobs.
But after a deep breath, and a step back, I gaze at who they are, the young men they are becoming, and the pride I feel fills my heart to bursting.
They may be moving beyond my grasp, but I’m proud of who I’m sending into the world.
And that will see me through them stretching their own wings and flying into their own lives.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I can so identify with your post today. bursting heart and pride – it get’s crowded in a momma’s heart, huh.
It does! There’s joy, grief, delight and determination in there too!
Congratulations on raising independent men! What a burden it would be if they never came out from hiding under mama’s skirt…
Classic NYer recently posted..On being featured
Yes. And how would I ever have a life of my own again if they clung to me forever? Not an option!
did you say “have a life of my own”? this is almost something to look forward to!?! but I understand the sentiment
Andrea recently posted..Magic Johnson launches high school drop-out recovery program
You will enjoy it! But it’s bittersweet
Ah, I love this so much, b/c yes: I see it happening to. ANd I”m so grateful mine are still here with me, and let me hug them.
I don’t know what I’ll do when they’re states away, rather than just feet away.
This was lovely.
Forgot to tell you, highlighted this beautiful post on my blog today: the best of the internet this week.
It is.
Alexandra recently posted..ICYMI
I am honored beyond words (which is rare for me, as you might imagine). Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. xoxo
Sometimes, when my little girls seems especially desperate and needy, I think they’ll never grow up and go away. Then other times, I feel like they’re growing so fast. I worry I’ll be lost and empty without them. This post was like a breath of hope though, that one day they will grow up and go, and everything will be okay.
Emily recently posted..Black Coffee
Everything WILL be okay. At least that’s what I’m holding on to when things get scary.
Headed over at the suggestion of the Empress! So beautiful and touching. I wonder if I might be less ready to burst into tears if my lovelies would actually help out. They see me for the sucker I am to their twinkling eyes.
Welcome. Oh, pretty sure mine see me as a sucker too…but I still hold the car keys, and the check to pay the car insurance bill, and the gas credit card, and the poptarts
You are such a good mother for raising your young men independently which is very important. Though it’s hard to accept when time comes that they will go away from us and have their own lives.
Danyelle Franciosa recently posted..Brisbane Bifold Doors New Farm – Quality Brisbane Bifold Doors Supplying New Farm Area
Oh, I know this feeling… and my oldest is only four! They may be beyond your grasp sometimes… but when they reach for you, you’ll always be within theirs. Mommy is always there.
Jenni Chiu recently posted..Bittersweet Amazingness. (The ghost of PPD)
I hope they’ll always see that Mama is there. Thanks, Jenni!
Awwwww, momma. *HUGS* I don’t yet know this feeling, but for some reason, I just love reading about it. Somehow I feel it prepares me for the day I have children of my own. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to loosen the grip a bit as mother but you should be so very strong of raising your children to be so strong and independent.
I imagine as a mother, their can be no greater feeling than knowing the kids turned out so well
You captured this all so very well here. Thank you for tearing on my heartstrings and sharing this with us. XOXO
Charlotte recently posted..Groundhog Day in October
Thanks Charlotte…someday, when I have my grandkids around (although NOT TOO SOON in the future) I’ll be saying the same thing to you about parenting
Oh, that hit my right HERE, where every mother feels it.
(My grasp is loosening here and there, too. I’m working on embracing it.)
A lovely, heartfelt piece.
Galit Breen recently posted..The 17 Day Diet: Exercise