When our firstborn arrives we wish away their life…. we wish for the first smile, the first steps, the first day of school…. all of those life memories and living moments in their precious lives..
I simply cannot believe that my first born is almost 18 years old and at the end of this year my life as a mum will move to its next stage….. losing my baby to the big wide world…
I am sure we all come with an inbuilt dream for our kids. For them to be happy, to be self confident, to love themselves and their world, for them to want to make a difference, to be the best they want to be… to be who and what they dream to be…..
BUT….. all of these dreams are not going to change the fact that when the firstborn, (and then the second and third), grow up and leave my nest I am going to be very excited for them, proud of them, supportive, encouraging AND heartbroken….
So today as I muse over the speed of life passing us by I just want to say how proud I am of MissM for finding herself a gap year placement at a Prep School in Somerset England for 2013… She will fly to the other side of the world and leave our daily lives for a year (at least) – she will grow and learn and experience and enjoy and laugh and travel and share and care and teach and cry and love. She will become wise and tolerant and appreciative and frustrated and scared and excited and every other emotion we all experience at one time in our lives..
You, like every other mother before me will feel my tears.. and understand my emotions…
I have been blessed with three beautiful, healthy girls who are my life…my reason for everything…and I know they will continue to be so wherever they may be…
AND….. ladies, looks like I’ll be coming back to Europe next year!!!! as 12 months is just too long without at least one hug from my biggest girl…
hugs for today and thanks for listening..
Helen
I can't wait to see your fabric line. I have completed all of the Nice People Nice Things blocks but haven't sewn them into a quilt.
Posted by: Cheap jordan Shoes | September 10, 2012 at 05:57 PM
I'm sad with you to imagine your baby soooooo far....
and happy to know you are coming back !!
I'm so happy to have met you and was hoping to see you again !!
See you soon dear Helen !
Florence
Posted by: Florence SCHNEIDER | June 23, 2012 at 02:04 AM
Hi Helen, I feel your pain! My first born is doing year 12 this year, so next year will probably leave the nest as well - not looking forward to that!! I'm sure Miss M will have a wonderful time.She is going to the most beautiful place - I was born in Somerset and lived there until I was almost 11. I envy her going there, and wish her luck on her adventure.
Alison, Crystal Brook
Posted by: Alison Wood | June 22, 2012 at 09:42 AM
Helen my heart hurts with yours. But I do know that soon it will be filled with songs of joy as you watch her from afar as she becomes the person you helped her to become. One of my greatest joys is sitting down with my now grown children and having conversations with these wonderful adults who have become amazing people...smiling on the inside knowing I had a small part in their journey. We cry because we will miss them, and that's okay. If we didn't I think their feelings would be hurt. :) But the moments of joy will overcome the tears. blessings, marlene
Posted by: Marlene | June 22, 2012 at 12:30 AM
Oh I hear you Helen! I too have three daughters...all have flown the coop...and they all flew away on the SAME DAY!! I cried for a whole month!! They had been car-pooling to University but when the last one joined in they decided it was time to get an apartment...so that's what they did! Our house went from bedlam to total silence!! That was six years ago...all are finished with University and scattered across the country with their jobs! I of course, still miss them and always will BUT we do go on!! I have turned one bedroom into my sewing room and another into my computer/TV room...it's all good! And they visit...My advice is to keep busy and you will learn to go with the flow...Enjoy the other two while you can!!
P
Posted by: Paulette Doyle | June 21, 2012 at 07:52 AM
I get it. My first born will graduate college next May. My BABY graduated high school last month, has already left for his summer job (a state away) and will only be home a few short days before I drive him and his stuff to college 2 states away. Empty Nest isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 21, 2012 at 05:10 AM
You are so fortunate to have 3 lovely girls. This is such an exciting time...sad, scary, but exciting. My "baby" is 30 now. He lives in the next state and it is only an hour or so away, but it's far enough that I worry and fret - but I'm lucky...he keeps in touch regularly (thank heavens for email!) and he's grown into a wonderful man. Whole new adventures are opening up for both of you.
Posted by: SuzK | June 20, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Oh, Helen, I remember so well. Reading through your post causes tears to well in my eyes. I just had the one daughter, and when it was time for her to go off to school, it left an awfully big hole, just her size and shape! I started mourning the day she graduated high school, spending the summer in tears. It took a long time to adjust. With two more little beauties at home, hopefully it will be a little easier for you!!
Posted by: kaholly | June 20, 2012 at 07:50 PM
You have 3 very beautiful girls and I'm sure Miss m will always be intouch with her loving mum.
Posted by: Patricia Leamey | June 20, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Helen, I know how you are feeling. We have just said goodbye to our only daughter and youngest for up to 18 months to work in London, but she is living her dream! Like you I know there will be a trip next year as email, phone and skype are just not the same as the real person.
Posted by: Wendy | June 20, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Ah Helen you have said it all!
Posted by: Dzintra | June 20, 2012 at 01:33 PM
Hugs to you, it's a hard road watching them leave the nest, but it looks like you have her well prepared, we just don't prepare ourselves!
Posted by: Leeanne | June 20, 2012 at 01:13 PM
Oh Helen, sending you hugs. And to you Helen's first born babe, good luck sweetie, enjoy the adventures life is offering you!....and make sure you call your mum! xxxxx
Posted by: Anne Elias | June 20, 2012 at 11:49 AM