Taking Flight
For the first time in nearly 21 years, there will be no children in this old house for the next 3 days. #2 daughter is visiting her sister in New York City this weekend.
The flight was delayed by over an hour, which would have made the off-Broadway play for which a friend of #1 had tickets impossible. #2 and I hot-footed it to the airport, and a very helpful ticket agent found the last seat on an earlier flight—-also delayed, but still earlier. She gave me a pass so I could go to the gate with my daughter. Once we were at the gate, and the agent there gave us up-to-date information, #2 said, “You can go now, Mom. I’ll be fine.” A quick hug, and I made my way back to the parking deck—-alone.
The house is strangely quiet this evening. There are no beeps and ring tones that signify teens in touch. There is no fiddle playing and no one telling me about her day. She is off on her first real Great Adventure, sharing it with her sister, who, not so long ago, took her first flight alone.
The words, “I’ll be fine, Mom.” echo in my memory, and I smile, knowing it is so. She is fine, and so am I. We have shared our roots and now we are sharing our wings.
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rudeek said,
April 3, 2009 @ 5:47 am
It’s hard when they let go, but it is the next step. Hey! Enjoy your weekend and don’t worry. They will be fine.
kelly said,
April 3, 2009 @ 8:34 am
beautiful post, perfect photo to illustrate the theme. take this time to be with you.
; )
xoxo
Cat B said,
April 3, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
Ahhhh, so sweetly put. Not to say there isn’t an adjustment as they fly the coop. It does feel strange for a while and even a little sad, or it did for me. But I love that you know that you’ll be spreading your wings now too! That’s brilliant and very, very true!!
MaryWitzl said,
April 3, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Oh, Debra — both of ours will be off on their own adventures in another three or four years. I can just about imagine how that will feel…
I like that photograph. It could be either of your daughters, but I like to think of it as you!
LarramieG said,
April 3, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
Aw-w-w, happy weekend to all!
Linda McLaughlin said,
April 4, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Hope your girls have fun in the big city together. What a nice post; I esp. like the last line.
OldOldLady Of The Hills said,
April 4, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
Exciting and wonderful! New York and Off Broadway and sharimg all this with her sister……Sounds absolutely Fabulous!
Mary said,
April 5, 2009 @ 12:28 am
I love the solitude of a quiet house, but cherish the moments it is not!
Can’t wait to hear all about it!
sandy feet said,
April 5, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
What an awesome photo! When my son went on his first adventure to NYC with his aunt, his comment to me on the phone was,”I would miss you, but I’m having too much fun!” Which was exactly what I needed to hear. Sounds like a wonderful experience for all.