MIAGD: Make it a great day

I’ve had several parents of senior students express the growing pains of their children going through all the senior year rituals and preparing for the big move to college.

I think this is one of those times that made more difficult for parents because we do want the best for our child, but we also wish to hang on to those last morsels of our time with them, and their childhood.

Once upon a time when I was a teenager, Mother, my siblings, and I were preparing to go to dinner with our grandparents after church.  I asked if I could, instead, go do something with some friends.   I can still remember the look that came across Mother’s face.  It was not one I had ever seen before.

I didn’t know whether to run or yield to her reaction.

My grandfather intervened.  He pulled his eldest child aside, put his arm around her and said, “Sissy, there was a time when your mother and I went through the same thing with our eldest child. You cannot escape this big moment of children wanting to do things away from the family.”

Grandma intoned, “Leroy’s right, Diana. Our parents went through it with us and your dad and I went through it with the three of you. It’s your turn.”

Mother looked up at Grandpa, smiled, nodded, and told me it was fine that I went out with friends.

Observing this pivotal moment in my life served me well as a parent.

I wanted to feel those traditional parent-pangs when it was my turn but I had to push my sons, who’d never had dads in their lives, to go do things with their friends.

Regardless whether we have to push or let go, it’s a little on the heart-jerking side.

Go out and make it a great day, Folks!