This week, I matured one degree as a parent again.
Summertime is when the children go to the province to be with my in-laws. This year at least, it was just our 2 boys. The older one, M1 (16), spent most of his days helping out with the family business. I guess in Chinese households this is the norm and M1, being the oldest boy of the oldest son, fits into this mold.
M2 (14), on the other hand, is still a playful boy. He worked last summer but this summer refused to do so as he said he wanted time with his cousins. Oh well….
But I am digressing from my point.
This Tuesday, M1 flew back to Manila on his own. And last Thursday, M2 also did the same.
Being the mother that I am, I naturally asked hubby to let them travel together. It would be one less trip to the airport and they could be together for the flight. Well hubby insisted that it was time to teach them to fly on their own. So that ended all discussions.
On the days of their flights, I admit feeling anxious. Anything could go wrong. They could lose their boarding pass. Or lose something like money or their cellphone. Or bad weather could divert the plane (this already happened to me and the 2 girls and it was NO pleasant experience).
But everything turned out smoothly. In fact, M2 rang me up from the provincial airport to gush about the newly renovated airport. Looked like I was worrying more than they were!!!
So in short, both boys came home safely and they are back with me now, squeezing the last precious summer hours left with friends and with their computer games.
As I reflect on this episode, I do so with mixed emotions.
I am happy because my sons have grown wings and are learning to fly on their own. But in some strange way, I also feel a tinge of sadness…..because they no longer need me as much as they used to.
A lesson in letting go. A lesson in trusting. A lesson on making my own life the way I would really want to because in the end, as our children leave the nest, we are really left with our selves.
What would your life be like without your children around?
If you are in this stage of life, think about it. Pursue your own dreams and aspirations with a passion. Do things you have always wanted but shelved as a result of time for your children. And start making a life worth living for yourself.
May your life be always beautiful, good and worthwhile — not just for YOU but for others as well.
The first time I flew without an adult, I was 16, and I was traveling with my younger cousin who was 13. And we were both broke so we didn’t get porters. LOL!
Jane: Ria, kahit walang pera, masaya naman no? 🙂 It’s amazing how rapidly teens now become independent.
yes, parenting is knowing when to let go, may be difficult but we have to do it gracefully. and in letting go, a part of us usually goes with them, but it makes us better persons.
and in the end, we only have ourselves. letting go, i guess is also loving ourselves, don’t you think so?
Jane: Dine, that’s so true. I am realizing that by loving myself more, I have more love to give them.
Wow, I think it’s still a tad too early to be thinking of letting go of your children, but I agree. Not knowing that you need to let go or letting go too late will only stifle their growth. Cheers to you for learning this early! 🙂
Jane: Thanks, Philos! Painful transitions but also full of wonderful transformations.
I would probably have a hard time “accepting” this reality. My eldest daughter is going to be 13 soon and I just hope and pray these teenage years would be uneventful.
Jane: Difficult…but no parent will be exempted from passing through it. Yes, we all pray their teen years will be uneventful. 🙂
my eldest is in grade one now. it’s also her first time to be alone in the service. we just pray for protection every time. we have to let go some time.
Jane: Yes, very often that is all I can do, Jun — pray, let go and let God.