In August of 1999, Kevin O’Connor, a talented reporter with the Rutland Herald sat through a series of Parenting Classes I was presenting at Rutland High School.

My husband had this article framed and gave it too me as a gift. It has intense sentimental value for both of us. It was this article that brought us together.

As I read through this article (with my 5’11”, 15 year old daughter on my lap), I was struck at all the things that have changed in my life and all the things that remain constant.

Here is a snapshot . . .

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I am the mother of 5 teenagers. My first child graduated from high school a few weeks ago. I wasn’t ready for it. I thought I was ready for it—but I was lying to myself. I am forever telling other parents that the day will come when their nursing babies will be full grown adults, and it will happen when they aren’t looking. I was right. My daughter grew up when I wasn’t looking. I realize I was basking in Hannah’s childhood even as she was growing into an amazing young woman.

It occurs to me, that for many parents, whether they have children graduating from pre-school to kindergarten, from elementary to high school or from college into the job market, graduation is about more than where our kids have been. It’s more than the grades they received, the friendships they made, the teams they were a part of. Graduation for my senior, is also about stepping into her independence and the adventure ahead.

I find myself feeling inspired, melancholy, reflective and deeply moved as I experience this transition in my daughters life. I feel better when I realize I am not so much saying goodbye to Hannah’s youth, as much as I am saying hello to her adult self. I’m excited about this new phase of our relationship even if I don’t know what that means.

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