Embracing Separation

It is that time of year when your son or daughter is off to college. It is that moment that makes a parent proud but also a moment that you have been dreading. You can put on a smile to everyone, but deep down you are hurting because they are not close in proximity anymore. Now it is time to beef up on your calling and data plans and learn to Skype if you haven’t learned how to by now.
Whether your child is college bound, or walking down the aisle soon, they are embarking on an exciting adventure in their life. Yes you embrace them with all the love with every ounce of your being, but at the same time it leaves you lonely. It feels like you lost your best friend. Who is going to go shopping with me? Who is going to listen to me complain? Who am I going to listen to complain? The house will be empty, what am I going to do?
Separation is part of their growth, remember that. I know, it would be nice to be selfish and see them every weekend, and then it wouldn’t be so bad. When you lose them, you also feel that you lose a connection with the community as well. You see all of their friends have become your friends, and their parents and neighbors and so on. The good thing about it is that you don’t lose that. You will get that unexpected conversation at the grocery store, “How’s ___ doing?” Before you know it you’ll be video chatting to your son or daughter about whom you ran into and everything that’s been going on since they’ve been gone.
This is your chance to grow, too. This is a chance to see beyond the baseball games, the dancing lessons, the dirty laundry, the grocery shopping … well, you get the idea. This is a chance for you to think about you. Do you want to travel more? Do you want to go back to school? Is there a hobby you want to take up? Do you want to spend more time with your friends, have more alone time, or more quality time with your significant other? Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it, this is your time!
What you can expect on their journey is fun times ahead. You can help plan their career, their wedding and help find them their dream home. Before you know it you will be welcoming home their first bundle of joy! It doesn’t matter how many times they leave, or how many times they come back, just know that one day they will be on their own. Life is full of ups and downs and many surprises along the way. Sure there might be a few bumps in the road along the way, but the journey is so rewarding for all concerned.