One week and counting for oldest daughter’s graduation from high school.  Can I just say that it still seems surreal…that I have a senior, that she will be starting college in the fall. And can I just say that it hurts to think about it; kind of like that first day of kindergarten and watching her wave goodbye as the bus pulled away. Ouch.

Of course, there have been other “leavings”:  a one-week and a two-week trip to Mexico with her youth group, week-long youth conferences; and recently, a solo trip to Seattle (via plane) to visit her best friend who had just moved there.  Each time hurts a little differently, like a fresh cut or a limb removal.  And each time you know that it’s just a precursor, that the “big one” is yet to come. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, this rates about a “9″ on the Leaving Richter Scale.  I’m trying to be real mature and not let this shake me up so much, but it’s hard.  There are other tremors brewing lately that make it even harder.  She’s been talking about taking a part-time live-in nanny position. Even though this idea is not very practical, since she’ll have a full load at college in the fall and will be driving back and forth to school each day; she is stuck on the idea of moving out. And dorm life is probably out of the question, due to cost.  She tells me, “I have to leave sometime, Mom.” Ouch.

I know she’s testing out her independence and trying to make decisions on her own.  That’s where it gets tricky: giving her room to make her own choices, but then still being responsible for helping her get to the next step (i.e., college and prep for a career).  It feels like a constant tug of war.

To top it all off, little sis, Kiki, is going to her first prom today.  Her friends just came by to pick her up and take her out to breakfast.  And I can see the fault line spreading…getting ready.  What a minute! Isn’t there some kind of Leaving Preparedness Kit?  I’m so not ready for this!

So I know I don’t really need to say this, but I will.  To all you mom bloggers out there who still get to snuggle with your little ones and run and play with them in the park; whose little ones still look at you with awe and love and talk to you about silly, uncomplicated, random things: enjoy this time. Enjoy every precious minute while you can…before the leaving begins. 

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If you’re visiting for the first time - or if you’ve come here to check me out because of a job application I submitted - please be sure and read some of my earlier posts.  You might like to learn about my joy stealers, the Thanksgiving that almost wasn’t, and a little cheer.

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Please note: regular writing duties will resume shortly.  So come back soon and you’ll hear about our recent college visit and a tale of tears.  And yes, those two things are related (sadly).

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