Congratulations to this year's graduates! I wonder who really graduates, the student...or the parents? Obviously the student, on to high school, on to college, on to a career, on to a changing world. But mom and dad graduate as well...to ever less control, to a nest that can be empty save for memories.
I recall checking in electronically at the Portland airport. Swiped my card and before I knew what was happening, a helpful agent was punching the screen for me. Too helpful. I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "Mom, I can do it myself." She replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. I raised 5 kids." I felt like the 6th.
Here's to the parents of the graduates who now face the herculean task of letting go. My daughter once asked me if I wanted to live her life for her. "Well, yes I do," I answered but I couldn't, I can't, and, for better or worse, she has to punch her own check-in screens and whatever else life brings her.
Experts say that graduation causes a kind of grief. Something's being lost. Here's to the parents who have to deal with it. "Here we have no lasting city." (Hebrews 13:14)
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