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| Cassie |
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| Cassie & Morgan, Colorado Fall 2012
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It's hard, this thing called parenthood. You hear so many people say, I know how you feel. I'm certain some do. I'm certain, some don't (even when they say they do).
This week, my husband and I watched our daughter pack up her things, those things most important to her, and put them in bags, vacuum seal bags, and drive off, to a different state to live. She is old enough to take this step, but as a mother, you can't but help feel helpless seeing your daughter take this step in life. It kind of reminds me of her first steps. You're there, ready to pick her up if she falls, but all the while telling her "come on baby, you can do this, look at you, what a big girl" and all the other phrases we parents say to encourage them to that next step. That's what we've done. We've been there all along to encourage. To prepare her for this step in life, called, leaving home. It's heart breaking though for us that our time has come (so fast) where she has got this, she doesn't need us to pick her back up, to get her foot steady for that next step, she can do this on her own. One thing about it though, we will always be ready to go help her, pick her up, help her be steady on her feet if she were ever to need it. She knows we've got her back. She knows, home is going to be there as long as God allows.
Our home though, is never going to quite feel the same. It's that next phase in life for the Sandberg household.
We still have one at home really, even though she is away to college, she is still home. We know though, that it is probably coming sooner than we'll be ready for, but again, we'll be there all the way, encouraging her, and helping her get her foot steady enough to take that step. It's what we do as parents. There comes a time when we have to let them go, let them sore on their own. It's their time, they will learn so many things, sometimes it's from doing things the hard way/wrong way, but it's still a growing/learning experience that they need to experience. I can't be a parent that will limit my child on their desires or dreams, or tell them they can't go live someplace that isn't close to home, I just can't do that. I don't ever want to make them feel that they are obligated to being close to their family. I can't imagine that being a good feeling to have. My parents never once made me ever feel that way, I am so thankful for that. They allowed me to make that choice without swaying me one way or the other. They respected me, they loved me, and they let me grow, and they let me go. Even when my life was going through so many difficulties, I knew they were there, praying for me, encouraging me and ready to be there if I needed them. That's what I want to be like for my girls. I want to see them sore, high, and reach for their desires, those desires I truly believe Christ has put in their hearts! Of course, sometimes I just don't like it that they both choose to go far from home, I'm honest here, but it's NOT ABOUT ME! I will continue praying for them as I have all along, probably even more so now.
So, yes, our home is quiet, and yes, we miss her, and we are learning. We are adjusting. We are excited to see what God has in store for our girl, for both of them! I think the one thing that we will miss most is the laughter that went on in our home when it was filled with the girls and their friends. That's what we will miss the most. It's a new phase, and it's going to look different. I'm just so thankful for all the blessings, and look forward to watching the blessings fall on my girls! It's an exciting time!
Denise
Sorry, I reread this and it's not very well written, but it is what it is. :)
