It doesn't feel right. I glance around expecting to see a pile of papers toppling precariously over the edge of the coffee table. A tangle of electrical cables littering the sofa. Arragh, how that annoys me! I mean, how can one person use so many and for what? There's rarely any sign of the ipod, phone, laptop or camera that they actually belong to. If I told you once I've told you a thousand times, "Put them away!"
But today...
Today I look around the living room and it seems empty. Everything is in it's place, neat and tidy as I like it, and yet something is missing. You.
You're all grown up and gone to university. Just as you should. As you deserve. That doesn't make the house feel any less empty or my heart any less heavy. Yesterday you left with a smile, a hug, a fond farewell. I plastered a smile on my face and choked back the tears with a joke. But you felt it too, I know you did. Sadness, fear, excitement the beginning of a whole new chapter in life.
It's time to let go of the familiar and embrace the new. For all of us life will be different from this day on.
It isn't always easy but it's necessary. Change is part of life and nothing stays the same forever. There will be exciting times ahead and new challenges. I let you go freely, with joy and love knowing that it is this that will keep you coming back.
******
Good luck with the blog hop and your new release, Kyra :)
Change is a part of life and the main theme of my book. Cool!
ReplyDeleteNothing stays the same forever. Thanks for dropping in today.
DeleteInteresting to hear about Kyra's book. Now I want to know about yours - and have tagged you in The Next Big Thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsy. I have done this one recently but will post a link back to it. Thanks for thing of me :)
DeleteBeautifully written! My cousin has just gone off to university, and I know her mum felt this exact same way!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in with the bloghop!
The blog hop seems to be going well, lots of great stories out there.
DeleteNice work, Suzanne! I can sort of relate to this in that my brother lives on the other side of the world to me and our mum - and for mum it was and is really tough. Particularly now that he and his wife have had a beautiful baby girl!
ReplyDeleteSeparation from loved ones can be so tough. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteArgh! I felt your pain here. My children are still young, but I'm already dreading this moment. I think every mom out there can relate to this. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteIt's tough Jaybird, but we love them so have to let them go. Enjoy every minute with your kids because time goes so quick.
DeleteWhenever they leave home you have to let go and it's a very difficult thing to do. I can really relate to this.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess it means we have done a good job of raising our kids (hopefully!). Thanks for commenting, Sally.
DeleteJust be proud he's grown up now.
ReplyDeleteI'm very proud.
DeleteI am not ready for that stage of my children's lives. I have 4 and my oldest is a freshman. I hope I can handle it. I hope I can Let Go.
ReplyDeleteYou will, Dani because I'm sure like me you want the best for your kids. Thanks for dropping by today :)
DeleteWhat a wonderfully emotional piece. It was hard enough just leaving my son those first mornings at preschool. Never mind having him leave home for university!
ReplyDeleteBeing a mum is tough and pulls at our heart strings all the time.
DeleteI already downloaded it! So happy for Kyra!
ReplyDeleteGo Kyra!
DeleteSuch a great piece! When my four sons leave, I know it will be tough. I'll be happy for them and all that they have ahead of them, but I'll also be sad with the emptiness. It's bittersweet. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bittersweet and why we need to make sure we emjoy every minute with our kids. Thanks for dropping in today.
DeleteWhat a moving piece. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteAww, my kids are still babies and I'm already dreading this! Thanks for sharing. :D
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every minute of their childhood it goes so quickly when you look back on it.
DeleteSaying hello from the blog hop. This is very sweet. Fortunately, the holidays are right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the holidays!
Deletegreat blog hop! this is hard for any mother!
ReplyDeleteIt is kinda hard but natural too!
DeleteLetting your kids go to grow up can be difficult. Hopefully it will be the start of a whole new relationship with them.
ReplyDelete.......dhole
Hopefully, Donna they are adults now and that will bring new pleasures I'm sure.
DeleteWow Kyra is steaming ahead! Good luck Kyra.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, good luck Kyra it's been an interesting blog hop.
DeleteLetting go with a mixture of sadness/pride... as a mother I can relate to this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle.
DeleteI think we've all experienced that letting-go feeling at one time or another. Great work :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol.
DeleteWhat a wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks T.J.
DeleteThe reality of life is quite hard sometimes. I have been lucky my daughter who is attending University is still living at home, but after next year her work area will most likely take her overseas.
ReplyDeleteThere comes a point where they all leave home and begin to make their own way in life. It's hard but natural :)
DeleteI've got a few years to go yet, but I can certainly feel the excited sadness of this post.
ReplyDeleteI like that description, Annalisa - 'excited sadness.' Sums it up beautifully :)
DeleteCongratulations, Kyra, on your new release!
ReplyDeleteYes congrats to Kyra and a slightly belated Happy Birthday to her too :)
DeleteGreetings Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the letting go, complete with the wide range of emotions. We know that as one chapter in the life of a loved one ends, a new adventure begins. For them and for us.
Your articulation rings a note in my heart. I await that sad, happy, reflective day when my son moves on and knows his own independence.
Thank you for such a thoughtful posting.
In kindness,
Gary
There are so many mixed emotions, it's a rollercoaster ride! I think it is important to look on changes as new chapters with new possibilities. Thank you for your kind words, Gary.
DeleteThis is super well written. I totally feel the emotion. Really great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelley :)
DeleteWell-written, bittersweet piece. My stepson will be going off to college in England next year (because he has additional needs and there's no suitable provision in Scotland - but that's another story). We would quite like him to stay at home where we know he'll be well cared for, but on the other hand he needs his independence and, like you say, new challenges!
ReplyDeleteGaining independence is important, Nick but I can understand your apprehension. I wish your step son (and you guys) all the luck in the world I hope he thrives on the challenges.
DeleteAwww, what a sweet story, Suzanne! My Dad still asks me when I'm "moving back to the nest" on a daily basis haha. Kids really do grow up too fast, it's very bitersweet, as Nick pointed out above. Good luck to your boy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catherine bittersweet is a great way to describe it.
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