I love the feeling of in-betweenness in this piece. Totally get that tug at the heart when reading your own writing out loud. Doesn't happen all the time, but totally get it with this one. Reminded me of the feeling when we moved my mom out of our home and into assisted living. You drive home wondering what spirits will be there waiting for you when you open that door.
Thank you for your beautiful writing. I was crying, remembering just how I felt at the time I was leaving my daughter at college her second year. I wish that you will find yourself again. It takes time and sometimes I am still not adjusted. xoxoxo
I am building myself up for these days, my eldest is a similar age but has chosen a different path, still home with us working full time, saving to go off travelling. When he returns he will look for work further afield. That time feels distant but also just round the corner. I am treasuring these last moments.
I love Seattle, despite living thousands of miles away and on a different continent it is a city I have visited twice and have fond memories of. I loved that I could picture your walk in my head from your wonderful descriptions.
Well, I love your country! If you ever come back to Washington state on your travels, reach out. I would love to have tea. We live near Portland and, as I wrote, Seattle is quickly becoming a second home for us. Good luck with your son-it's bittersweet. I will miss having my daughter home but I so look forward to building an adult relationship with her too, always holding a home base, a soft place to land for her.
It's hard Laura. My kids are both leaving the nest next fall. I'm not looking forward to it at all but also I'm very excited for them to start the next chapter. xo
Yes, I'm so excited for my daughter. She's growing up, going out into the world, which is what my ultimate goal was as a parent. I'm proud of the job she and I did to get here, but it is bittersweet-an end of an era.
Don't you love it when your own writing can make you cry. But this piece made me -- the reader -- cry as well. Not only was I with you as you said good-bye to your daughter, but it reminded me of the bittersweet experience of taking my own two kids to college. We want them to grow wings, but man! is it hard to see them fly.
I could identify with this piece so much! That seasonal letting go of your child sure tugs at your heartstrings. This is our 6th year of this process and I felt so melancholy the whole day when our youngest left home last week for his senior year of university. Transitions are just plain hard! And, I've bookmarked that special bookstore in Seattle to visit one of these days -- I loved that post as well! Thanks for sharing.
Love this. And love your vulnerability about doing what you want to, when you can--thanks for that reminder! It's so much better for us to share things when they move us, than to share because we feel like we 'have to.' And, yes, Madeline and your comments about liminal space is everything! I've come to realize that we all spent our lives in the Liminal and that's a hard thing to accept. I also think if we can, or get glimpses of it, that's the way to peace. XO
I love the feeling of in-betweenness in this piece. Totally get that tug at the heart when reading your own writing out loud. Doesn't happen all the time, but totally get it with this one. Reminded me of the feeling when we moved my mom out of our home and into assisted living. You drive home wondering what spirits will be there waiting for you when you open that door.
Yes! The ‘in-betweenness’. I’m in such a liminal space right now. Thank you for putting into words what I couldn’t.
Thank you for your beautiful writing. I was crying, remembering just how I felt at the time I was leaving my daughter at college her second year. I wish that you will find yourself again. It takes time and sometimes I am still not adjusted. xoxoxo
Thanks for always reading & being so supportive. You are the best!
I am building myself up for these days, my eldest is a similar age but has chosen a different path, still home with us working full time, saving to go off travelling. When he returns he will look for work further afield. That time feels distant but also just round the corner. I am treasuring these last moments.
I love Seattle, despite living thousands of miles away and on a different continent it is a city I have visited twice and have fond memories of. I loved that I could picture your walk in my head from your wonderful descriptions.
Well, I love your country! If you ever come back to Washington state on your travels, reach out. I would love to have tea. We live near Portland and, as I wrote, Seattle is quickly becoming a second home for us. Good luck with your son-it's bittersweet. I will miss having my daughter home but I so look forward to building an adult relationship with her too, always holding a home base, a soft place to land for her.
It's hard Laura. My kids are both leaving the nest next fall. I'm not looking forward to it at all but also I'm very excited for them to start the next chapter. xo
Yes, I'm so excited for my daughter. She's growing up, going out into the world, which is what my ultimate goal was as a parent. I'm proud of the job she and I did to get here, but it is bittersweet-an end of an era.
Don't you love it when your own writing can make you cry. But this piece made me -- the reader -- cry as well. Not only was I with you as you said good-bye to your daughter, but it reminded me of the bittersweet experience of taking my own two kids to college. We want them to grow wings, but man! is it hard to see them fly.
It is such a push-pull or pride that they are launching and wanting them to stay little forever. Well, maybe not forever...
I could identify with this piece so much! That seasonal letting go of your child sure tugs at your heartstrings. This is our 6th year of this process and I felt so melancholy the whole day when our youngest left home last week for his senior year of university. Transitions are just plain hard! And, I've bookmarked that special bookstore in Seattle to visit one of these days -- I loved that post as well! Thanks for sharing.
Karen- I still want to meet one of the times up in the Seattle area. Maybe we can go to a bookshop or something.
A bookshop would be fun! Are you ever up here on a week day?
Love this. And love your vulnerability about doing what you want to, when you can--thanks for that reminder! It's so much better for us to share things when they move us, than to share because we feel like we 'have to.' And, yes, Madeline and your comments about liminal space is everything! I've come to realize that we all spent our lives in the Liminal and that's a hard thing to accept. I also think if we can, or get glimpses of it, that's the way to peace. XO
Thanks Susie!