Roots and Wings

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: 

One is roots, the other is wings.”  

Hodding Carter.

Molly at 6 years old.

I've always believed that our children are only on loan to us.  I believe they come through us, but do not belong to us.  They belong to the world.  And as parents, we are entrusted with their care until they are able to care for themselves.

That lesson hit home last week when Molly left for graduate school in Ontario.

Molly wasn't yet 18 when she left home to attend university in Vancouver.  But we saw her often over those five years as she was just an hour's drive down the highway.  Plus, she returned home for all of the holidays and every summer to work.

After graduating from Simon Fraser University, she lived and worked for two years in Vancouver.  Molly was making it on her own.  She was happy, she was healthy, she was independent.  Everything a parent could want for their child.

Molly left everything behind at the end of August.  She left everyone she knew and loved.  She boarded a plane and flew east to attend school at the University of Western Ontario.  Ever since she was a teenager she has wanted to be an academic librarian.  She is realizing that dream and is now working towards a Master's Degree in Library Sciences.

I know being away from her friends and family isn't easy for her.  Molly is prone to bouts of homesickness.  There have already been several teary long-distance phone calls and I've had to give her some loving, encouraging pep talks.  I believe in her.  She can do this.

We are so proud of Molly.  She is in unchartered territory and is facing her fears brilliantly.

I keep reminding myself, "She will be fine.  We have done a good job by giving her roots and wings."

Saying good-bye at the Vancouver airport.