Emily - On Her Graduation

How does one say goodbye?
Not to a person (she’s not dead), but to a time of life that brought so much joy and represents such a significant part of myself, of our family?
To a period of life where she was everyday present, a part of the routine and needing our care, help and presence?
How do you see through the tears to look ahead, knowing the future is every bit what should be in front of us, what needs to be in front of us, and yet a part of you grieves the passage of the wonder of what was?

My heart can’t sort through it; it is a mass of jumbled emotions and reflections:
Pride.
Love.
Memories.
Disbelief.
Grief.
Excitement.
Rejoicing.
Bewilderment.
Thanksgiving.
Awareness of the fleeting passage of life.

And so I turn to God & pray.
For His help, wisdom and peace in my own heart.
For His guidance, protection, and continued work in hers.
And for an awareness, acceptance and delight in the good purposes He is working out,
In both our lives.
even amid the bittersweet time of transition and growth for this mother and daughter.

I let her go into your hands, God.
Knowing she was never really in my hands anyway.
Thank you for the gift of motherhood and the exquisite beauty of its flower in my life.
I give you praise.
Sometimes, through tears.