Graduation is over - what next?

Often times when we think of graduation from high school, we think of the young adults whose lives are just beginning.  We think of all the hopes and dreams we have for them and all the hopes and dreams they have for themselves.  We think of new beginnings, new paths, new life... but, for the teacher, graduation marks the end of another year spent investing in the lives of young people.  For me, it is a hard time.  I pour so much of my heart into developing the day-to-day relationships with my students.  The end of the school year is always bittersweet to me, like mourning a death, remembering a lost love, reminiscing past experiences, realizing lost dreams....  I always have to remind myself that this is a cycle, part of life's ebb and flow.

This year held a different experience for me - I participated in a new capacity.  My daughter graduated from high school.  I was afforded the opportunity to present her with her diploma on stage for all to see.  I am finding it difficult expressing my thoughts and emotions as a new parent of a high school graduate.  My daughter will turn 18 in just a few days.  While my role as her mother will never change, my role as her caretaker and guardian will change.  Letting go seems to be one of the hardest things to do.  People give all sort of advice for dealing with your child becoming an adult but the fact is, every situation is different.  Every relationship between a parent and a child is different.  As a parent, we know this time in the lives of our children marks a new start for them.  We know they are embarking on a new journey.  The problem is, we also know this newness, this new journey, often means we play a lesser role in their life.