Kidlet is the last of my girls to leave home and as a mama, it is a mixed salad of emotions. Bitter greens, juicy, sweet tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce – sadness knowing a chapter of mothering is closing; happiness seeing the strong, intelligent woman Kidlet has become and excitement watching her pursue her dreams and for what is to come.
The family gave her a send off the night before – grandparents, parents, and sisters and Fritz. We celebrated Doris’ 93rd birthday too and it helped take the edge off. Then again nothing takes the edge off like cake and ice-cream (and a droplet or two of wine). This marked round one of the goodbyes.
The tribe rallied and with the help of her two dads and sister, we got the truck packed up with a fridge, food, clothes that could outfit a village and enough personal hygiene products to last her through her degree.
The second round of goodbyes was fulfilled with her sister and Fritz and me (although I was following the caravan to the university). Watching her pull away from our home, I knew that “that” girl would never return but that next time she was home, a matured, confident young woman will have taken her place.
Kidlet, her dad, hubby, Kidlet’s sweetheart and I converged on the campus and after a 2.5 hour wait, got her stuff up to her dorm room. Thankfully
I was a little quiet as we drove away from her and towards our vacation at the cottage. The emotions were swirling and I was fighting the reflective reflex. No tears – only pride. And as we hit the highway north, and drove into foul ugly weather, hubby pulled me out ... “look ahead”.
A reminder of good things to come.
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Onto the next chapter - for BOTH of you....
ReplyDelete"Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear"
The rainbow drew a wonderful line under the past, as well as symbolising a bridge to the future...
ReplyDeleteWow Lynn, you were lucky i'd say. One of my partings (with my second child) worked much the same way. This last one was extremely hard, and it's not over yet (still unsettled and so far away).
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your beautiful daughter!
Beautiful post - got me a little teary too ...
ReplyDeleteThe symbolism of the rainbow on that day is profound!
cuz
I'm covered in goosebumps now. It took me straight back tot eh day my eldest and I dropped him off at Uni, and how quickly he got me out of the door once all the stuff was unloaded.
ReplyDeleteHope the empty nest is not too unbearable.
xx
This is an absolutely beautiful post...you brought tears to my eyes, Lyn!!!! You are much in my thoughts during this time of transition!!! ~Janine XO
ReplyDelete