I’ve committed to starting a fresh series to document my journey over the next 365 days, leading up to my golden year. It’s my personal quest to capture my own “yellow brick road” or maybe golden moment.
I never expected my birthday would turn into such an emotional roller coaster as today also marked my son’s move-in day for college. Tears are pouring down as I write this. Time is a relentless thief – stealing away moments that I am not yet ready to let go.
My son flew out of my nest
He’s been flapping his wings for seventeen summers
And today he was ready to take his journey
Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplassh
Calling this moment bittersweet feels like an understatement. This is our second time going through this experience, and while it hasn’t become any easier, it hasn’t grown worse either. I take comfort in knowing that a whole new world is about to unfold for my son – one that is filled with opportunities and brand-new experiences. I cherish these thoughts, take immense pride in seeing my son grow into the man I always knew he could become.
Yet, there is a profound heaviness in my heart, a mix of emotions that many parents have felt before. It’s a deep awareness that we are just but guardians of the next generation — therefore we must accept that we cannot make time slow down, no matter how much we wish we could. Oh, but time – why can you not give me more?
I know that things will start to feel better in the coming weeks, but tonight, I’m a whirlwind of emotions as I try to process everything all at once.
I don’t have any profound insights to offer, except this: cherish the time you have with your loved ones. Nothing is more important than them—not your work, not the money you have.
Vian Wheatley 