“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is built for . . . .”
Tonight, my youngest son graduates from high school. This is the third time that we will experience this event. In some ways, having been through it before, makes it easier. We know what to expect. In some ways, having been through it before, makes it harder. We know what to expect.
When I had my first child, I experienced a depth of feelings that I didn’t know existed. Like many women, when I got pregnant subsequent times after that, I got nervous. I got doubtful. I questioned why we chose to “rock the boat.” When I got pregnant with our second son, I read something that now makes all of the sense in the world to me: “Your first child teaches you about the depth of your love, your subsequent children teach you about the breadth of your love.” Like most children, my four children have always tried to “trip me up” and they have tried to figure out whom I love best. I’ve always reminded them that they are all smart and they are all good at math. You can’t divide or measure “infinite.” It is an impossible task. Infinite love is so overwhelming, vulnerable, awe-inspiring, miraculous, solid and most decidedly, immeasurable.
We’re having another ship leave the shipyard in the next couple of months. His first journey to college won’t be so far away. But journeys beget journeys and tonight signals to me that the anchor is pulled up. He will come back to our little safe harbor from time to time, to fuel up and to share stories of journeys that I won’t be a part of, but I will thrill in, vicariously. He is ready for the journeys. He is a solid ship. The horizon awaits . . . . .
Great article! I’m not a mom myself, but I can feel the emotion, and I quite have tears coming to my eyes 🙂
Enjoy the celebration, and good luck with letting your ship go!
Thank you, Julie. I’ve been spilling a few tears, too and it’s only morning. Ugh!
Yes. Yes. Yes! You perfectly captured my feelings about having multiple kids and having them grow up and fledge from the nest. Best of luck to your son on his new adventures.
Thank you so much! I am happy that you could relate. 🙂
I love this post. The bit about the breadth and depth of our love. The bit about our children pulling up anchor and sailing away on journeys we won’t be part of. Everything. And I love your posts because they’re shorter than most blog posts…but deep enough to make the reader care. Thank you for what you do!
Oh, I am so touched! Thank you! Your validation means so much!
I’m a grandma – my older daughter had her children relatively young while still on university. I love my 2 daughters but wow I adore those granddaughters . I was not prepared for that. My daughter went to school forever and is now a university prof 12 hrs away. Of course her girls live with her! I miss them so much – all the girls, not just the young ones. We don’t have our children and expect them to stay home forever but when your kids leave home, it can be a joy that we’ve raised them tinged with some sadness for sure.
Yes, it is such a big mixed bag of emotions, isn’t it? My friends who are grandmothers agree with you! I am sure I will love being a grandmother. 🙂