Letting Go

Last night’s sleep is fading away and my eyes are not yet in focus.

I sip my morning coffee alone in solitude.

As the hot liquid slides down my throat,

SHE enters the room.

 I take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

No longer is a child standing before me, but rather

an exquisite young creature who is erupting into womanhood.

 Gone is my rosy-faced toddler with bouncy yellow curls.

Long tea parties and fuzzy, stuffed animals are replaced with a

strong confidence and wisdom beyond her years.

Infectious laughter has given way to a voice that is filled

with steady determination and security.

 As she comes to me and gently places her head on my shoulder I notice how much she has truly grown.

Now taller than I, there is a stately quality to her that causes me to tremble.

 I lean back against the wall in wonder as I watch her prepare for her day.

Suddenly, hot tears fill my eyes and I quickly look down…embarrassed.

A tender moment for me and yet she doesn’t understand.

 Curiously she looks at me with a crumbled brow, shrugging her shoulders

Merely whispering a soft, “good morning” and then

she floats out of the room.

 Her golden tresses a muss as she brushes them away from her sleepy eyes.

I watch as she quietly leaves….

Long, slender legs that used to wrap themselves tightly around my waist in a bear hug.

Now they are grown and they will carry her into the fullness of what lies ahead.

 Yes, my little girl is becoming a woman and my heart is filled with equal parts pain and joy.

I sigh heavily and close my eyes….

Imagining the wondrous future that lies ahead for the two of us.

 

I wrote this poem over 10 years ago while watching our oldest daughter transition into womanhood.

This past week, we moved our 3rd and last daughter into her college dorm and I found myself with lots of emotions.  As I stretched up to hug my lil sunshine good-bye, I remembered this poem and its truths stung me again.

Raising children into adulthood is one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks there is.  Over the last 23 years, my husband and I have shed more tears than we knew we held but we have also laughed till our sides ached with immense joy!

Being a Mom has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences.  Don’t blink my friends, it will be over before you know it.  Enjoy the moment.

Much love…..Lisa Roitsch