Roots and wings: a message for parents

Dear Readers,

This week's thoughts center around what will be - not what is. We flipped the calendar to September so that means social media timelines are flooded with pictures of happy young faces posed with fresh haircuts and stylish new outfits. They are filled with hope that this year will be better than the last. It's back-to-school time.

As I was scrolling through them, I thought about my own life and how I will feel when it's my turn to take those photos. Evie will stand outside our front door, pose for a quick photo, excited and eager to be whisked away to be with her school friends. She will make new memories, have new experiences, discover the world on her own and say farewell to mama and papa bear. That was me as a kid. Still, I feel all the feelings. But that's what we're preparing her for every day. It may seem like we have the luxury of time since she's not even one, but I am frequently told that is not the case. Just yesterday at the grocery store a kind stranger shared that her "baby" was now 33. She told me to enjoy every moment when they're this little because it goes fast. I hear that same sentiment at least once a week.

I felt a tiny sting this week as I thought about letting her go. I know it's a normal and healthy feeling for parents. After all, she was just born - a perfect new life that has not yet become flawed like the rest of us. Okay, it has been almost 10 months.

Someone I deeply respect shared a parenting mantra that helped me put these "then" and "now" school photos in perspective: give your children roots and wings. Roots and wings.