12/21/2021
So I can't speak to the Moms that are about to "lose" their first SENIOR child, because I haven't experienced it yet. I'm feeling all the feels watching it through my friend's experiences, but I haven't walked through it yet. So, sorry mama...you'll have to hold my hand next year. Now, this may be more biased towards girls, because I only had girls, but insert your boy moments as you read.
BUT. I work with seniors everyday and who I can speak to is...the SENIOR.
BEFORE I go any further, this is for the senior that has the bonus mom/grandma too. They might not have had you physically, BUT that time was invest just as much!!
Dear Senior,
You're done with school, we get it! And we get that this is such an exciting time in your life. We are just excited for you, but hear me out. Us, Mamas, are letting go. You truly won't understand this until you're there. You'll come to us and give us the biggest hug with an "oh, that's what you were talking about" statement and we'll be there to hold your hand. BUT, for now, will you just let us feel the feels? Instead of rolling your eyes and thinking we are overreacting (which we might be), just let us feel it. We have spent the last 18 years putting our all into raising you (well 19...you know the year that we gave our bodies up for you...yeah that one...we'll count it!) Every boo-boo, every project that was put off until the night before, every throw-up session in the middle of the night, every hug from a broken heart, every "mama, mama, look at this," every breakfast/lunch/supper that was made, every real conversation about life, every conversation about that new Disney show, every "hey, can you take me to...," every snuggle moment on the couch, every hair session, and every "I want my Mama!" moment. I could go on, but I couldn't because it wouldn't stop. EVERY MOMENT comes down to this year and we are letting go.
We are letting go of the idea that you'll soon choose to come home instead of having to be home at 12. We are letting go of that room that should be a mess, but won't be touched for weeks. We are letting go of the "hey, mom!" moments when you walk into the house at the end of the day. We are letting go of simple everyday tasks that won't be needed because you'll be off at college. We'll long for you to come hang with us on the weekends. We'll long for you to call us just because you missed us instead of us having to text "hey, call me."
We are embracing what is to come. We know we can't change it, and we know that what's on the other side will bring us so much joy, but right now...we are letting go. So, instead of rolling your eyes, senior, please just go give us a hug. Please tell us how much you love us now while we still have this role as your Mama. Because whether you know it or not, that Mama role does change into a best friend/mama. We are still your Mama, but it will be different. It will be sweet, but different.
So, as you go through your year, Senior. Be easy on us. We are taking every moment in. We are begging time to slow down. We are hoping that we taught you everything you need to know to make it out there in the real world. We are second guessing everything, but settling into peace that we loved you with every ounce of our being.
We love this time in your life, but remember...it's a life change for us too.