For the last two weeks we've been proctoring advanced placement exams, but now that they - and graduation - are behind us, we're ready to get back to work
One article that has been making the rounds lately is this one by the actor Rob Lowe. Titled "Unprepared," it is the emotional story of his son's leaving for college, an event that those of us who have been down this road will understand. Even under the best of circumstances, sending your child off to college is not an easy thing to do.
Following my own daughter's graduation many years ago, I was confident that she was ready. I knew she was independent, self-sufficient, and prepared, but that didn't make the leaving any less difficult. I cried. She cried. But this was the next step in her life, and I knew - and more important, she knew - she was going to be okay. As as matter of fact, she was going to be more than okay. She was going to be great, and I don't believe she has ever looked back.
This leaving home, well, that is the way it is supposed to be. As a parent, you do the best you can, and then you step back and watch them go. Sometimes they come back, and sometimes, they just go farther and farther away. But watching them take flight and soar to heights you never dreamed of is simply amazing. I adored my daughter when she was a child, but I also love the young woman she has become. Listening to her expound on politics, religion, and leadership is inspiring. Watching her speak to a group of students or parents and seeing her recognized in her chosen field makes me so proud. Now we are able to connect on a whole other level, and our relationship continues to grow and mature. It makes all the leaving and moving around the country worthwhile.
My advice for parents? Celebrate the accomplishments. Honor this special moment in time. Be proud of who your daughter has become. Recognize that this is the way it is supposed to be. Shed a few tears if you need to, but then step back, and watch her take flight. The best is yet to come.
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