His jacket

As parents we look for milestones in our children's lives, to mark their growth, or just to make sure we don't forget the details of their growing. The first time they roll over on their own, the first tooth, the first steps all the baby firsts that are such milestones to remember.

Then comes school. The first day of Kindergarten can be traumatic for parents. I know as an educator some children just do not separate from the parent at school time. The reverse is also true, the parent doesn't separate from the child well. But we all get through it. Suddenly, we find our little preschooler, in high school, and somehow we manage to wonder where the years have gone as we listen to Pomp and Circumstance, at the high school graduation.

I remember taking my children to college. Moving them in, hauling their stuff, and then having my heart ripped from my flesh as I had to leave them behind, in their dorms. I knew it was a right of passage, time now for them to begin to find their way in this world, but it still hurt.

Soon, my youngest will graduate from college. I remember the first day of preschool, like it was yesterday. He was very comfortable. He didn't even want me to walk into the room with him. He said he could handle hanging his jacket in his cubbie, and he did. I was the only Mom who had to remain in the hall. He was more than ready for this day, and now he is more than ready to graduate now from college. But am I??? Am I ready to send him into the world without his jacket?
I have to be.

Children grow up. We as parents prepare them for their lives. That is our job. We teach them those values that we treasure, stability, kindness, generosity, respect. We hope they learn to work for their merits, and to work hard for them all the time. We love them, and give them our love. We give them hope.

My youngest is 22. He is an adult. He is about to complete all of his basic and formal education. He will be a college graduate. He is an intelligent person, and a fun loving guy. He worked hard in college, majoring in 2 subjects. He partied equally as hard too. I know. Soon I will sit with other parents, waiting to hear his name called on the roster of graduates.

I'll be holding his jacket for him, until the ceremony is over. I will probably cry, but after commencement, I will give his jacket to him. He told me years ago, when he was 3 he knew what to do. I don't think he was kidding.