The end of primary school: letting go

Walking to school for the last time with your hand in mine,

remembering the first time and the tiny person you were.

Seven years of school runs now at an end.

All those mornings with our little talks along the way.

How on earth did those years fly by so fast?

Seven years of seeing you grow and change.

 

 

I remember those early days, that still seem like only yesterday.

Days navigated through the fog of sleep deprivation,

wondering if I’d ever have a decent night’s sleep again.

Being told, “the days are long, but the years are short.”

And yes, those days did feel so very long at times.

Looking back on those precious days when you were so very much mine,

knowing now how true it is that those years are short,

realising with each new stage comes change and growth, and separation;

that parenthood comes with learning to let go.

 

Letting go so that you can stretch your wings and learn to fly,

giving you the space to become the beautiful person you were born to be.

No longer just mine to love,

but yours to grow, to go out, to experience the world in ways only you will know.

Experiencing moments that are yours to know,

and only mine to hear about if you choose to share them.

New worlds opening up, new friends, new feelings to navigate.

A journey that is yours and yours alone.

 

And so I will take a step back to stand and watch you fly,

filled with joy at seeing you grow and thrive and change

but carrying the sadness that with each change,

I say goodbye to the child you once were

and the moments that were once mine.

 

So spread those wings, my love, and fly.

Be the beautiful person you were meant to be;

see the things that are out there for you to see,

knowing that I will always be here, watching you with pride,

holding the memories in my heart

and loving you more than you will ever know.