Embracing the transition

It has been close to a month now since my daughter Claire moved into her own place.  It’s been a transition for all of us.  For her it marks her official launch into the adult world and for us, it’s accepting our child is now a young woman ready to leave the nest and lead her own life.  We’ve done our job and if we’ve done it well, she’s ready and equipped to live a full, productive, independent life. 

I thought I would mourn this time and have a difficult time adjusting.  Yes, there is some mourning because there’s an ending but mostly I’m embracing the beginning of something new and exciting.  Claire has made us proud in the way she lives her life and the person she’s become.  I love visiting her in the place she and Sam call home.  It’s tidy, organized and full of life and personality.  She’s working a part-time job plus going to school full-time.  She’s learning how to prioritize her spending and manage her time wisely.  They’re in a location that allows them to either walk or cycle to virtually everywhere they need to go.  It all feels right. 

I realize when we go through life changes we have a choice to either stay stuck in what was or embrace the new.  I’m learning that’s it’s far more exhilerating to celebrate and embrace the new than mourn the past.