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As one chapter ends, another begins.
This week ends the 27 year journey I have had with mothering my two offspring as children. From Saturday on, I will be the mom of two wonderful, capable, ......adults. TD turns 18 - that magic age when childhood steps through an invisible veil into a new adventure of independence. It is a process of course, and I will always fiercely be their protective mother ready to swoop in, when invited. They are part of me, and turning 18 will not change any of our history, present or future.
But becoming an adult does open some exciting doors - it is the legal age for voting, for example. And for driving. And for drinking alcohol. TD has been studying for her learner's licence - the precursor to getting her driving licence. It has been a useful reminder to us of the more obscure road rules ( if you are carrying a load on your roof, it may not stick out more than 30 cm from the bonnet, and must be decorated with a red flag sized 30 cm by 30 cm. No bigger, no smaller.) I had... ummm... forgotten that.
Most parents will be a little anxious letting new drivers borrow the car. Lack of experience, recklessness of some teenagers, and the notion of indestructibility that youth brings, means most of us stay up late and bite our nails until the teenagers have trained us to trust them. It goes without saying that the drinking freedom holds the same fears. Are our teenagers responsible enough to make good judgements? We will find out soon enough I suppose. TD will have extra responsibilities - checking her glucose before any decisions can be made. (Alcohol has the double whammy of high sugars and diminished responsibility. Driving and going low will be dangerous to all road users.) It is all part of growing up and letting go.
Happy birthday, TD. You fill the world with compassion and kindness. You are tough and determined. You are gentle and humble. The world is yours, and I know you will continue to make it a better place for all of us.
And here I say goodbye to you and my blog. Thank you for the company these last few years. Thank you for taking an interest and making this a less lonely journey. I will miss writing to you - it has been my grounding and thought space, but it is time to let go. My next chapter begins too.
But first....It's Time for Tea
Addendum! My new blog is at Comingback4seconds.blogspot.com if you are interested!!
“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
T.S. Eliot
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