She is off. Yesterday morning at 5am I dropped off Nelly Bo (14) at the airport to fly on her own to Stockholm for the first time. It is a big thing. For her and for me. Maybe mostly for me??? For her this is adventure. For me it is separation anxiety, worry, fear... A feeling of "Can we please stop time?".The night before the flight we looked through what she had packed, organized her passport and ticket and set the alarm clock. Liquids in a zip lock, book and phone in the handbag... Does everything fit into a cabin bag? Can I bring a mascara? Am I allowed to have pencils and a pencil sharpener? Can I buy a Starbucks coffee when I get there? What if they find something weird in my luggage in the security check? The questions were many and the butterflies in her belly many. In mine too actually.
We got up at 4am to get ready, drove the 30 minute drive to the airport and parked. Standing in the security check line I suddenly realized I'm letting her go to something unknown and unfamiliar, out of my control! A tear found its way down my cheek. I quickly took a deep breath to collect myself, trying to avoid the embarrassment of being the weepy Mum at the airport. Not cool, right? Pull yourself together over-emotional Mama.
A kiss good bye, squeeze of a hand before she passed through the security check and I watched her walk away on shaky long teenage legs and with a slightly insecure smile on her face but with her head up high. A milestone of a different kind is reached and after this waits falling in love, heart break, moving out and exploring the rest of the world... How will I handle that, I wonder. I mean, she is still my baby. Aahhh, pull yourself together over-emotional Mama. She will do just fine!
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
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Poor you! I totally understand those mixed feelings: proud but anxious...
ReplyDeleteYour girl looks just like you! I'm sure she'll do fine!
Treat yourself and buy some yarn for some comforting crochet ;-)
Oh my goodness, I would be freaking out too! Bless her, she is such a brave, strong girl. I know I would have been too afraid at that age. So even though is scares you too, she's brave enough to do it, which means you're doing it right!
ReplyDeleteS x
You are a very brave bunny, Annette, and so is Nelly Bo!! How lovely to see your daughter so strong and independent. You've done a great job bringing her up xx
ReplyDeleteBe strong! For her sake! My daughter went from South Africa to Northern Germany for her 'maiden voyage'! Oh!!! And I panicked and stressed now end. All went well and she was much the richer in experience for the time she spent there!! Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely daughter you have and it is hard to let go but let go we must! Is she visiting someone? Does she know people there? You know Stitched in Sweden lives in Stockholm. She's on Ravelry and is from the U.S. and is a knitter although she is crocheting a blanket.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely want someone there I knew for her....just in case? But that being said, the worst thing we can do is "protect" our daughters. They need to be told, informed and know how to protect themselves. I'm sure she will be fine and her self-confidence muscles will grow!
Very true
DeleteTotally normal feelings my friend. My oldest has been out of state at school for four years and I cry every single time he leaves, now I think he expects it and even likes it that I do.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Meredith
One of those hard milestones.It's a terrifying time for sure! More so for mom it seems than anyone else. All I can say is that it does get better (a tad) with time.x
ReplyDeleteHey...i saw off my older one too on 28th july to the other side of the globe. india to USA !
ReplyDeleteWhen we can put our emotions in a blog beautifully and crochet our heart out...that should take care of our emotions. Part of life ...
Hugs dear