This was in my email this morning! Today marks a heavenly 40th birthday for our son who we lost 3 years ago. What I wouldn’t give to still have many many more ‘lasts’ with him.
Yes when our children become adults there are so many lasts but also for each last is a first. Watching them dance with the love of their life, their wedding, grand children.
I understand your article and it is all true but you have a whole new way of life starting seeing your daughter fly her wings, your relationship evolving to a new level.
Being present in each others life’s enjoy the moments and pray that life is kind allowing you the firsts and lasts of your children for a lifetime.
First, I am so sorry you lost you son. So deeply and profoundly sorry.
And yes to everything you said. I hope it did not sound like I thought it was all over now, just branching into a different season and that is always hard. But, I do welcome all the new first and thanks for the reminder to me and anyone who is reading this. I so appreciate your comment, it is always good to have healthy perspective. I felt compelled to share the lasts because we often get so caught up in the moment that we forget to enjoy it.
Isn't parenthood bittersweet? '18 summers' isn't a new concept to me, as parent of a now 13-year-old it's often on my mind. I hadn't heard the 90% statistic though, wow, and ouch. My daughter is now very independent in some ways and less so in others, but I totally felt your thoughts about lasts and not knowing when the last is. I guess that's the same for every relationship in our lives? You never know when that last is coming and so you try to stay as present as you can with those moments. I wish I had known the last time my daughter would reach out for my hand - then again maybe I am glad I didn't know! And Sharon's comments below resonate so strongly with me too - it's a privilege isn't it to see our children go out into the world in that new phase and to build a new, different bond with our adult children. As I navigate what's proving to be a difficult phase with my daughter, this all reminds me to hold onto these moments now as best I can, even the tough ones x
It sure is bittersweet. On most days I am so darn happy and excited and full of questions about this next phase they are in or bridging to, and then there are those days where I just want to hold them tight forever. I don't know for sure, but I have to believe that what is on that other side (adulthood) will be a beautiful relationship as well. I can already see it with Avalon. We are all so excited to hear about what is happening in her new world. Thanks for sharing. Hold on! And big hugs.
This was in my email this morning! Today marks a heavenly 40th birthday for our son who we lost 3 years ago. What I wouldn’t give to still have many many more ‘lasts’ with him.
Yes when our children become adults there are so many lasts but also for each last is a first. Watching them dance with the love of their life, their wedding, grand children.
I understand your article and it is all true but you have a whole new way of life starting seeing your daughter fly her wings, your relationship evolving to a new level.
Being present in each others life’s enjoy the moments and pray that life is kind allowing you the firsts and lasts of your children for a lifetime.
The only real last is grief!
First, I am so sorry you lost you son. So deeply and profoundly sorry.
And yes to everything you said. I hope it did not sound like I thought it was all over now, just branching into a different season and that is always hard. But, I do welcome all the new first and thanks for the reminder to me and anyone who is reading this. I so appreciate your comment, it is always good to have healthy perspective. I felt compelled to share the lasts because we often get so caught up in the moment that we forget to enjoy it.
Much love and healing vibes coming your way.
Sorry if I wasn’t clearer your article is so very very true. I did not mean to distract from your message.
It was just arriving in my inbox today seemed to resonate with me more than ever regarding how precious time is.
Thank you for your kind words.
You did not distract at all, you gave another perspective which is necessary in life and I really appreciate it.
Isn't parenthood bittersweet? '18 summers' isn't a new concept to me, as parent of a now 13-year-old it's often on my mind. I hadn't heard the 90% statistic though, wow, and ouch. My daughter is now very independent in some ways and less so in others, but I totally felt your thoughts about lasts and not knowing when the last is. I guess that's the same for every relationship in our lives? You never know when that last is coming and so you try to stay as present as you can with those moments. I wish I had known the last time my daughter would reach out for my hand - then again maybe I am glad I didn't know! And Sharon's comments below resonate so strongly with me too - it's a privilege isn't it to see our children go out into the world in that new phase and to build a new, different bond with our adult children. As I navigate what's proving to be a difficult phase with my daughter, this all reminds me to hold onto these moments now as best I can, even the tough ones x
It sure is bittersweet. On most days I am so darn happy and excited and full of questions about this next phase they are in or bridging to, and then there are those days where I just want to hold them tight forever. I don't know for sure, but I have to believe that what is on that other side (adulthood) will be a beautiful relationship as well. I can already see it with Avalon. We are all so excited to hear about what is happening in her new world. Thanks for sharing. Hold on! And big hugs.