When Your Only Child Grows and Leave Home

You remember the day you brought her home from the hospital; you remember that feeling of awe, the unconditional love that radiates from you. How could you have produced something so innocent and pure? The bond had had been formed before she was born; now she is in your arms is more real than ever. It is the beginning of a lifetime together.

And, as she grew there were humps, bruises and all the obstacles that growing involved but, you were her constant source of reassurance that everything was going to be alright. When she wanted her "blankie" to go school with, her you had to stand firm and say 'no' even though you knew it brought comfort. When she was hung high on having a horse as a pet, you knew it was impossible but, how do you explain impossible to a determined five year old. These are the things mothers do.

The years do fly and she is sixteen and bent on having independence. She has gotten her first job at Old navy and she is as proud as a peacock. She is the social butterfly of the group, with a bit too many friends if you ask me. She is however careful and like being home before her curfew. As the years move on and adulthood sets in you have developed this closeness that is hard to explain but, it's like sharing a heart. She confides in you with what you hope to be all of her wishes and desires.

When that time came, the one you were dreading, when she says "Mom, I am in love" and the look in her eyes told you this is not like the others. There is that contented look in her eyes and a glistening when she talks about him and you know he is the one.

There is that selfish feeling, that you will be losing your baby, your only child, the person that's closest to you and there is also that guilt. You do want your child to be happy, to find a life partner and have a fulfilling life. But, you feel like a part of you is being torn away. Then the obvious happened, the engagement and you do want to be a happy mother of the bride instead of crying you want tears of joy. How do you get to that point?

Counseling works, it gets you to see the joy that her intended husband brings her and how fortunate she is to have found some who loves her (I don't want to say the same) almost as much as her mother does. It makes you realize that your family is growing; now you will have the son you never had. God is good she'll only be a block away and when the time is right, you'll be the best grandma in the world. With this you know she has left home.