Launching Myself

I’ve spent the last six years writing about launching my Babes to college and beyond. And these have been years of HUGE transition. For them and for me and for all of us as a family unit.

But most of my time has been spent making sure their transition was smooth. That the ones left behind felt a near seamless shift. That our family unit remained connected and in tact as best as we could given our rapidly changing circumstances.

And I’ve done an outstanding job helping my my Babes and our little family navigate this tricky season. I don’t say that in a brag-gy way. But I’m also done downplaying the hard and often un-recognized work that goes into these HUGE life transitions. While it may look simple to the outside world. There are deep (and often fiercely private) complexities to weathering this season well. And I’ve risen to the occasion. Proud enough to pat myself on the back for a few glorious moments.

I spent most of my adult days in the the beautiful trenches of ordinary with my four Babes. And there was no place I’d rather be. Those days were full of ordinary goodness. They were hard and excruciatingly long in one breath. And heart eyes, swoon-worthy magic in the next. We built a life together that felt safe. Secure. Content. Connected. It was a life that allowed them to launch. And take all those feelings of home with them into their next adventure. It’s a priceless gift to be given. Oh how I know. Because the same gift was given to me by my parents.

And now my swan song Babe is entering his senior year. Almost fully cooked and ready to launch. Only this time as I launch him. I’ll be launching myself, too. And that feels strange to even type. I’m an old, seasoned pro at launching my Babes. I’ve done it 3 times in 4 years. But launching myself? Thats a whole new way of thinking. One that is very foreign to me.

I’ve always been the foundation for my family. Steady. True. Present. Available. Eager. Curious. Enthusiastic. And I hope my Babes know that I always will be. Whenever they may need sure footing.

But now it’s also time to be all those things for ME. Can I be steady, true, and present for myself while I work through hard things? Will I be available, eager, curious, and enthusiastic about the future me, like I am for my Babes and everyone else in my life? How will I be my own sure footing?

I know I can be. And I also understand that this isn’t my natural strength. So if you are in this season of life launching Babes. But you’ve forgotten how to launch yourself. Maybe we can do this hard thing together. Where we set ourselves in motion for all the good things we wish for our Babes. Because we deserve them, too.