Like a winding river,
Sometimes my mind drifts
To thoughts of life’s perils.
Violence, disease, abuse,
Drugs, war, and poverty
Are just a few of my worries.
How will my children
Navigate the winding river,
And pass along to calm water?
My instinct is to keep them close.
Like a tugboat, I pull them along life’s river.
The steering wheel firmly in my hands.
Eventually, though, we both know
That we’ll reach the ocean
And I’ll have to let go.
If I’m not mindful now,
They won’t learn to navigate
And the ocean will be stormy when we arrive.
That is why I teach,
Giving them enough slack to
Learn to navigate for themselves.
After all, the world also has
Love, happiness, compassion,
Faith, healing, and peace.
The ocean voyage is not for me.
I can only impact the weather when we arrive.
That is why, I must learn to let go.
by Cody McCullough
Photo by Elizabeth McCullough
Cody McCullough Writes: 
Very inspiring verse for a mom like me. I have an 8-year-old son who is so curious of almost everything. Just a simple visit in the neighborhood could pull myself down with anxiousness if he’s doing all right. I really should learn to let go sometimes and build his sense of responsibility. 🙂
Sometimes it is easier said than done, but it sounds like you know that.
That is beautiful & as a parent terrifying at the same time!
Very true.
This is perfect. My oldest is going to a job interview tomorrow and away to college in the fall. I know I must let go, but it is sooo not easy.
My oldest daughter is only 8 years old. We’ll see how I do in 10 years. I have a feeling it is going to be harder than I realize.
Yes, it will:) I will tell you something funny – I have written a piece about him going away. Jordan caught sight of it and got upset with me – he thinks I am anxious to send him away NOW. He said – “you are talking about me like i am already gone!” I have tried to tell him “no, this is not the case”. I have been thinking about the moment he entered high school. 🙂
Excellent post. * though it’s hard to let go*
Thank you for your comment. It is hard to let go.
Excellent, indeed!
Thank you. I appreciate your comment.