Yesterday marked a significant milestone in my life when my eldest son received his college acceptance letter. In mere moments, a wave of emotions washed over me: joy, excitement, concern, anticipation, relief, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of exhilaration. Yet, amidst all these feelings, I was taken aback by a profound sense of release. As my husband, my son, and I gathered around the computer, reading the word “Congratulations!” I felt an invisible gust of wind, as if he were spreading his wings and preparing to soar from our nest.
For the very first time, I felt no sadness about this transition. I genuinely want him to embark on this journey. All I could think was how incredibly worth it this moment felt. Witnessing the transformation from childhood to adulthood, seeing the dawn of his dreams while letting go of the childish fantasies, made everything worthwhile.
To all the mothers with children not yet ready for college, trust me, it will be worth it.
It was worth the months of morning sickness, the stretch marks, the labor pains, and the adjustments to your body post-baby.
It was worth the countless sleepless nights, the endless crying, the soothing, and the messy diaper disasters.
It was worth the challenging toddler years, the sassy threes, and the daily meltdowns, not to mention reading “Goodnight Moon” what felt like a million times and enduring years of hearing “No!” shouted at you.
It was worth the scrapes and bruises, the vaccinations, the sniffles, the ear infections, the bumps on the head, the cavities, the braces, and the alarming nighttime coughs that jolted you awake.
It was worth the thousands of school lunches prepared, the endless meatloafs cooked, and the recurring grocery store trips to feed a boy whose hunger never seemed to end.
It was worth the late nights spent helping with spelling tests, math drills, crafting dioramas, navigating science projects, preparing for geography bees, and writing book reports.
It was worth being the designated mom taxi, clocking in what felt like 5,000 hours on the road driving to school, sports, doctor appointments, and anywhere else they needed to go—even on days when I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open.
It was worth the tumultuous teen years, when hugs became rare, their days stretched endlessly, and my frustrations sometimes felt eternal. Cars got dented, dinners were often left untouched, and attitudes flared, but it was all worth it to see him grow.
As I reflected on all those milestones, I realized that while I looked back at the journey, my son was focused on the future. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay.
Yes, a significant part of my “work” as a parent feels complete, and I do want to take a moment to celebrate: “I did it! He’s going to college! Can I please have a nap now?” But I recognize that parenting doesn’t stop at 18, and he will still need his mom. However, the thought of him gradually becoming more independent is exhilarating—it’s a positive change.
Later, I may find myself in his room, gazing at an empty bed, a stark reminder that next year, this will be a common sight. Yet, I won’t feel sadness. The joy radiating from his face last night told me everything I need to understand.
He’s ready. And it truly was all worth it.
For more insights on this journey and related topics, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination, or for those interested in self insemination, visit Make a Mom. You can also learn more about relevant medical information at Lab Diagnostics.
Summary
The blog reflects on the emotional journey of a mother witnessing her son’s college acceptance, capturing the essence of motherhood and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood. It highlights the myriad challenges faced throughout parenting while emphasizing that all the struggles are worthwhile for the joy of seeing children thrive.