As summer comes to a close, I hope you’ve had some great times these last few months. I’ve enjoyed a busy summer of styling, shopping and photo shoots. In addition, I’ve been preparing for a very special trip.
My only child, Shayne, is leaving home and going to college.
This Friday, I’ll be leaving for a road trip with my husband and daughter to Chicago. We wanted to spend time together, see sights along the way and spend leisurely time together as we close out this chapter of life and prepare for the new one to unfold.
Many of my friends have been asking me how I’m doing. They have concern in their voices and hope I’m okay and that I’ll be okay. I understand. I’m a mom of one. Now she’s leaving. Seems like I should be sad.
Years ago when I anticipated this moment, I also thought I’d be sad, in tears, barely able to bear the thought of letting her go. But now that it is here, I can’t help but feel excited.
All I’ve ever wanted was for her was to be a happy, respectful, self-assured, confident, independent young woman who has a vision for her future with focus and determination to make her dreams a reality.
All my time and focus as a parent has been to show her the most love and respect, giving her the tools and guidance so that she’ll have the space and confidence to be the person she was meant to be.
As she’s leaving, I believe this is the person she has become, and I couldn’t be happier. This is a triumph, a celebration. She is excited about her future and ready to embrace all the opportunities and challenges of what lies ahead. I have comfort knowing she’s as ready as she’ll ever be at this time and now it’s time to release.
When we get to Chicago, we’ll be going shopping to buy an entire new wardrobe. I’ll be preparing her for the upcoming winter with snow appropriate, sub-zero temperature ready clothes. This will be an adventure and a real education for these LA natives:)
Once she has everything she needs and settled into her dorm, my husband and I will be taking a flight back home without her. Every time I say that, it gives me pause. This is the place were I feel sad. I don’t know exactly how I’ll feel until the moment arrives, when I get home, to see her empty room and wake up the next morning without the sounds of a teenager in the house. That seems to be when the real work sets in.
But for now, I am filled with love and joy, taking this experience one day at a time. Feeling it as it comes. Looking forward to transitioning a new relationship of parenting my adult child from afar, with Skype and a few trips along the way.
I’ll be taking a few weeks off to settle in with the transition. I’ll look forward to reconnecting with you on Wednesday, September 11th. In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and I’ll talk with you next month!