Childbirth
Nursing the hungry infant
Weaning from breast and bottle
Teaching the toddler to walk
And talk
And obey
Potty training
Kissing the first skinned knee
First day of kindergarten
First ER trip for stitches
Pulling the first loose tooth
Elementary school friends, and “frienemies”
Mending the wounded heart
First field trip permission slip
First time away from home for summer camp
First music lesson
First music recital
Open house at the junior high
First science fair project
First “stay-up-all-night-over”
Learner’s permit
First “real” job
Driver’s license
First crush
First breakup
Mending the wounded heart, again
College entrance exam
High school prom
College scholarship applications
High school graduation
Thirteen-hour drive for the
College freshman
New routines and responsibilities
New friends
New sweetheart
Job fair
College graduation
Engagement—This is the one!
Back home, but not to stay
Wedding planner—
Maids and men
Musicians and minister
Flowers and food
Photographer and decorator
Announcements and invitations
Dresses and suits
Time, why must you fly so? What’s the rush?
Wedding day dawns

You’d think after all those little cuts over the years,
The final snip would not be so excruciating.

© 2017 Angela Umphers Rueger – All Rights Reserved
Photo courtesy of Pixabay

July 13, 2017 ~ I’m not there yet, but it’s coming. We have one in college, one in limbo (waiting for an answer from the Army), and one who will be a high-school senior next year. While it’s not yet time to cut any apron strings, I know that moment is just around the corner. My sons both want to be treated like adults, but I wonder if they are ready. Truth is, I wonder if I am ready. I know their father and I have done all we could to prepare them for adulthood, but who has been preparing us to let them go? As we enter this final stage of active parenting, I have to admit this is the hardest one of all.

Some friends of ours recently gave their oldest daughter in marriage, so they know what it’s like to cut the apron strings. I wrote this, in part, thinking about how they must be feeling right about now, and also with the expectancy that, God willing, that time will soon come for us too.

Seeing your children grow up and take their place in the world is a wonderful gift, but it does involve some sacrifice. Even so, countless others have made the transition, and I have no doubt that we will too.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1