Letting Go… a Matter of LOVE

“I’m so sorry, this just came out of nowhere”, I whispered, choking back tears. I’d anticipated this moment for months, experiencing mixed emotions… happiness, sadness, excitement. However, when the reality of watching my youngest son move into his first apartment, after living on campus for two years hit me, I was unable to hold back the tears.

For the past 12 years my son and I had been the only ones in our home. We’d grown very close and tackled many situations together. Situations pertaining to life, our home, and school. He’d spent every summer, since he turned 16, working at various jobs and, of course, living at home. During his freshmen year in college, when COVID hit, he was forced to do his college work from home.

When his father passed away, he was 6 and his older brother was 15. Sending my oldest son to college seemed easier because he was attending college close to home. I knew it was his time to “fly”... to get to know himself. I encouraged him to enjoy college… to make friends, and explore different aspects of life.

Somehow, it felt considerably different when my youngest son went to college. I knew he would still come home during school breaks. Because he lived in the dorms… he HAD to come home.

Today, reality caused my heart to ache and tears to flow, as I thought about the times when he would choose to stay in his apartment during holidays and special times. I was suddenly faced with the fact that I was all alone. My buddy wasn’t going to be with me to share the day-to-day conversations, laughter, and challenges of life.

Loving someone unconditionally, and accepting the fact that change is inevitable, is part of life. Sometimes we choose to make changes and other times changes are made by others. However these changes are initiated , the “take aways” are the same.

Every situation in life provides us with lessons for growth and blessings that are eventually revealed. Oftentimes, the most painful changes provide the most personal and spiritual growth… it’s just a matter of time before one is able to heal enough to understand and accept the benefits we receive from these changes in our lives.

Blessings Embraced:

• The love between parent and child can sustain necessary life changes.

• Changes are inevitable and can be viewed as life lessons and blessings in disguise.

Affirmation:

• I value the loving relationships in my life.

• I embrace changes in my life and view them as opportunities for growth.