Monday, August 15, 2005

Letting go ...

 

     Mandy spent the weekend here, on Saturday morning she went out and about with Karen and I to the Rag Shop and then Costco before Karen was off to her Mothers house in Ockechobee and Mandy and I were off to Hollywood.

     I asked if it would be OK to give Karen the wagon full of toys we've had around here for years, so that all of the grandkids at her Mothers house would have something fun and different to play with when they visit Grandma, and ... I could have a little extra space in my closet. I bought most of these toys at garage sales during the years Mandy was baby-sitting Ryan and Derek so I knew she might have some mixed emotions about it.

    She did agree to pass the toys on so the other kids could enjoy them, but you can see from the photo above, that maybe she would of liked to have held on to them for just a little bit longer, it's not always easy letting go.

     Ryan and Derek 04/17/04

     When Mandy was 14 she took on a baby-sitting job for her best friends sister, Derek was only a couple of months old and I must say that it made me more than a little bit nervous.

     They live very close to us and their mother only worked a few blocks from home, their Grand parents lived across the street so I guess we felt that we had Mandy covered in case of emergency. I do remember asking God how on earth I was supposed to trust my 14 year old child with the life of that new born baby.

     She never did have an emergency that summer and she worked at least 40 hours per week. In the fall she worked after school, she did that for a couple of years.

     Being with those boys taught her a lot about love, a lot about life and maybe it taught her how important it is to wait until you get your feet planted firmly on the ground before you start a family. I'm going to strongly hope it taught her that anyway.

      I'm still learning to deal with the fact that she's all grown up (well almost). I hate to keep calling it the Empty nest thing but, yeah ... that's exactly what it is and it's been a difficult time for me. It's just not easy letting go!

 

  My pick for the J-link du jour is called Powwow  <--by Judi Heartsong, it reminded me so of a Powwow that I attended not to long ago found --> here.

                                                                    

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey , I have found that sending my baby off to high school feels just like sending her to kindergarten!
My eldest had that same little toy wagon!
Memories...
Marti

Anonymous said...

It's hard letting them grow up, but it's harder for them if we don't let go.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Funny how we love to hang onto things from the past. I was devasted to come home one day from school at the age of fourteen to find that my mother had got rid of everything including my teddy bear and my little lamb both of them favourites. I do not think I ever quite forgave her lol

Anonymous said...

Memories are treasures you can hold for ever - Ally

Anonymous said...

Our children growing up and becoming young adults is difficult. I was releived at first, not I just miss her all the time.

Anonymous said...

My grandaughter who is turning 13 in October now is taking a "babysitting" class to prepare for such a job herself now lol There are no prospects for her right now but she says she wants to be prepared for them. They do grow fast in a blink of an eye don't they.Glad to hear you had a great day with Mandy to enjoy and think of the good ole days. You've done a great job yourself mom. Pat yourself on the back for sure!!

Anonymous said...

Yup, I know how you feel. My daughter is leaving this week to go back to her college dorm and I am bracing myself. Sometimes I wish my kids did not grow up. I am still learning to let them grow without my meddling...

Anonymous said...

Babysitting has got to be the best first job for a young teen. I learned a great deal from my experiences.

Anonymous said...

letting go is always hard.  yet, you can look forward to a new depth in your relationship and the pride you must feel as she matures into the own strong independant woman you raised.   :-)

Anonymous said...

I think I only have a few of Cody's old toys left.
His Tonka Truck...and a beautiful carosel that he
used to love to watch when he was lying in his
crib.  Kinda wish I had more of his things...
Connie

Anonymous said...

I loved playing with my grandmother's toys that she collected for us. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Anonymous said...

Letting go....Hard!
V

Anonymous said...

I love the pics you take of your daughter. You have a wonderful talent for capturing her vulnerability. :-) ---Robbie