Letting Go A Little More

We searched for the right pre-school. The caregivers had to be caring, the place had to be clean, there had to be plenty of toys about and some thought given to the early education process. We tried it out, going to visit and observing and snooping around.

Then we took you to the creche and put you in the care of strangers. We were comfortable that we had chosen the right strangers, but we didn't actually know for sure that you would be fine. We worried that you might not warm to your peers, or that you'd fall ill or fall down or suffer some dreadful calamity because we were not there to hold your hand. But we had to let go just that little bit, to leave you behind, because it was time for you to learn your colors and numbers and letters.

We chose a primary school that would teach you how to be a good person, and give you a superb education in the major disciplines. The sacraments were taught and received, there was extra maths because you could handle more, and advanced reading when the time was right. And then came organized sports, and we let go a little bit more because you had to learn how to deal with everyday things like teamwork and time management. It was time for you to learn all the things you'd need at the next level.

Public or private, we debated, and settled on public education for second level. We stood to the side as you learned how to deal with disappointment, with petty politics. We watched but didn't get involved as you dealt with competition because it was time for you to learn about the bigger world that awaited you.

We searched for the right university. The school had to offer a wide variety of courses and majors, the dorms had to be clean and there had to be plenty of activities available because it wouldn't do you any good to spend all your time with your nose in a book. We visited the campus, tried it out and observed and snooped around.

Tomorrow, we will take you there and leave you in the care of strangers. We will worry that you might not warm to your peers, or that you'll fall ill or fall down or drink to excess or experiment with drugs because we won't be there to hold your hand. We are letting go completely, leaving you behind, because it is time for you to learn how to be an adult.