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Life Notes: Graduation Brings about Brand New Chapter in Lifeby Missy Goodwin, Human Resources Assistant In August, I wrote about my daughter beginning her senior year in high school and my feelings about how quickly children grow up, and the importance of savoring every moment. Well, just as I predicted, practically in the blink of an eye, the school year has come to an end. Yes, Pomp and Circumstance has played, the tassels have been moved, and I have shown an auditorium full of spectators what a bawling, squalling, snorting, blubbering, overly emotional woman I truly am. Looking back over the last nine months, one question that comes to mind is, "Did I REALLY savor every moment?" I THINK I did. I mean I certainly tried, but I have come to realize that actually accomplishing that goal is somewhat like trying to savor the taste of a snowflake after it hits your tongue. It's gone before you really have a chance to think about its being there. Such is life. You get busy with the day-to-day business of living and before you know it, an entire school year has passed. Hence the importance of making happy memories. Of course, all of our memories will not be happy. But don't the sad ones make the happy ones even happier? The bitter with the sweet, as it were. So even though the thought of my child moving out of my house is breaking my heart (not to heap any guilt on her or anything), I'm also very excited for her as she begins a brand new chapter in her life. HER life. I have a feeling it will take me a very long time to get used to the sound of that. But I also realize it had to happen someday. We haven't really accomplished one of our primary goals as parents if our children never feel ready to leave. I know that my Natalie is ready. I want her to know that I am so proud of the young woman she has become and that I have complete confidence in her ability to make good choices. Does that mean I think all of her choices will be right? Of course not. But that's where another one of life's hardest lessons comes in. Learning (hopefully!) from our mistakes. And Natalie, my little brown-eyed girl, in case you read this, let me just add: YES, YOU CAN ALWAYS COME HOME! Even though this is all bittersweet for me, I am truly grateful for almost 18 years full of happy memories, and I look forward to making lots more. And in four years, when it's time for my baby Emily to leave the nest, I'll be an old pro at this and never shed a tear, right?? Yeah, right. Then I get to deal with the dreaded "empty nest syndrome", and trying to figure out what the heck my husband and I used to do before they came along, and who am I now that . . .Oh boy, do I have many more articles to write! Life Notes: Complete List 2004 2003 The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader. | |||
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