The cycle of life

I have no idea how this happened. Casey just drove off by himself for the first time. He has performance course this morning, 7:15 a.m., and it's raining. I knew he wanted to drive himself this morning, so I got him up early...because it is raining, after all. I went through all the details on how the road may be slick, how the brakes work differently when they're wet, where to park...even I quit listening to me! I stood outside and watched him drive off for the first time in a car by himself. I waited as long as I could...yup, I did, I drove by the school to make sure he'd made it okay. By the way, he didn't park where I'd instructed him to...where it would be easiest to get out with out having to back up into a crowd of other kids. But how do I tell him that I know he didn't park where I told him to, with out telling him how I know?

There are firsts all through life that not only demonstrates their independence, but gives you that heart tug that you're just not needed as much as you were a heartbeat ago. Like...when they learn to wipe their own butts. You're grateful...but you're needed less. When they fix something for themselves to eat instead of telling you they're hungry. You're grateful...but you're needed less. When you see them folding clothes out of the dryer that you didn't even know needed washing. You're grateful...but you're needed less. Now he's driving away on his own. And I'm standing there waving good bye as I tell myself this is just the cycle of life.