I had one of those life defining moments today. Actually more like stage defining. Kate left for Googa today, an outdoor education centre somewhere out there in Australia, for a month. No contact bar letters, no technology, no anything. They have to fend for themselves, washing, cooking, cleaning etc etc. I was so proud of her. She hadn’t cried once in the lead up. No sleepless nights, no anxiety. Only excitement. And then she saw Isaac her friend as we arrived at the bus. And the tears started. The tears that ordinarily would have flowed on looking at me or B. You know, moommmy. Daaddddy. That was the stage defining moment. In Kate’s life. And ours. The moment I turned to B and realised, as did he, we aren’t the ones anymore. I mean we always will be her parents and that will never ever change, we will always be there for her and she will always know that, but her friends get so much more of whats going on with her now than we do. She is growing and growing up and getting more and more ready to spread her wings and be independent of us. And I love her all the more for it. Because like everything else she does, she is doing it with grace and dignity. So much so that it took us both by gentle surprise.
grace and dignity 
Lovely post … love the “aware” moment … love and hate getting older 🙂 + 😥
Hey Jonothan … me too … although from my vantage point there’s tad more hate than love …. and a whole lot of necessary acceptance …. xx
Oh my goodness Li. My heart is with you . And with her. Growing old, growing up, is so bitter sweet. x
Isn’t it just … but shoowee Lynn, I loved seeing her grow … we truly were more the observers and it was kind of cool. xx
To be cool about being the observers is actually the cool thing! For her and for you. So much love x
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Angie Barnard-Engelke, Jo-Ann Adams and 2 others like this.
Samantha Yates Schroeder Aaahhahhhhhhh…… x
5 hours ago via mobile · like · 1
Kerry Solomon Ah Lianne, your post has brought tears to my eyes. I love these insights you share that give me an inkling of what’s in store. When our kids are little they need us so much, constantly, and it can all get very tiring. Your posts remind m…See More
4 hours ago · like · 1
Lianne Cawood Oh Kerry, you have no idea how precious, until you look back! I love that my post made you reflect on how precious your time right now is … despite being challenging. Every phase and stage iseffing challenging, but also as you know delightful in its own way. Reflection is good. xxx
2 hours ago · Like · 1
Lisa Fourie Awe – this made me teary :0( for you and Bryan ~ big hugs XO
August 6 at 9:58pm via mobile · Like
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