The Next Phase of Parenting

Today was the last day of high school for my daughter Ursula and I can’t help but reflect back on her first day of school.
Now I know all mothers think their children are cute, but all prejudice aside, Ursula was adorable! She was so very tiny and had this very small, adorable voice. Being an only child made her relish in the thought of school, because while mom was fun and played a good game of candyland, I was not a kid.
I remember thinking that morning as we prepared, that when I was ready to leave her there she would get scared, cry, want to leave with me, something that would say "hey mom I really enjoyed the last four years of us hanging out let’s do it for four more years!" But No I Got a sweet little wave and a "see-ya later alligator" to which I sadly replied "after while crocodile," and left my little girl setting there on the floor playing with a little boy named Shae. When school ended a few hours later, I anxiously awaited her to run out of the class and right into my arms. But No she slowly wondered out of the class chatting with another little girl, looked at me and said "oh hi mom." At that moment I knew this little person was now in some small way a part of the world and there was no going back!
Today as I sat on her lap, yes I sat on her lap, I realized that little girl is not so little anymore. She is a grown woman, graduating from high school and is now really a part of the world! And so the next phase in parenting begins!