Heard Neil Young's song "Expecting to Fly" today. The first stanza from that song fits so well with our experience as parents at this moment. I'm living it and felt compelled to include it in this piece. Hope you enjoy.
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There you stood on the edge of your feather, expecting to fly.
While I watched, I wondered whether you were ready to try.
Floating, poignant, straining forward, striving for futures treasures.
Yet wings perhaps too young. Don't fret my darling. Come, let's take their measure.
Too old to sit upon my lap,
Let's sit here at the table.
I'll sooth you with my loving words till you feel you're able.
Expansive freedoms, aloft upon the breeze. You're merely on loan.
Time to navigate these freedoms my dear. Time to do it on your own.
I've watched you make some choices I knew would cause you pain.
I shared my trepidation, then fell silent again.
Respecting freedom can be so hard to do. Allowing you the freedom to fall has been my gift to you.
I see a strong and vulnerable soul balanced at this precipice. Sometimes alight on the breeze, sometimes close to our breast.
Here you stand on the edge of your feather, ready to fly.
And as we watch we wonder together....
how high?
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