It's that time of year when older children are getting ready for college or graduate school. I've got one in each. My daughter looked at me today as she was packing for her new apartment and law school. She had joy in her eyes and excitement in her heart. It emulated from every cell in her body as she said....
"Mom, this is it....I'm moving out and I won't be coming back!"
This thing is...she meant no malice. She didn't mean to cause what felt like a blow to my stomach as the reality hit me. The truth is she was born with one foot out the door....the same as her mother....and she was only doing what she had learned to do!
I gave her a small set of wings on the day she was born and prayed that she would always use them wisely. As she grew, the wings grew with her. Most of the time I was able to guide her to use them carefully, explaining that they were the greatest gift of love that a mother can give her child. And it took courage to give them....just as it took courage to use them.
Tomorrow she is flying away. Her wings have grown now and will carry her through life's beautiful journey with a deep abiding love...and a greater respect for the beautiful human being that she is.
My protagonist was not so lucky. She was never given wings to fly, but in the midst of repression and anonymity, she somehow found them and flew into the arms of the most unsuspecting recipient. Together, their wings took them to places few are lucky enough to see. Together, they changed history...just how the history in my life is changing today.
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