Monday, April 5, 2010

The end of an era


Sometimes a seemingly innocent event can cause an emotional reaction.  For years we have had a trampoline set up in our yard.  Our youngest daughter paid for half and we paid for half.  Lots of kids enjoyed jumping on it.  The birds liked the net as a landing post.  The cats liked it too.  But now that our youngest is away at college we agreed to give the tramp away to someone who could appreciate it.


I work with Charles and Jordan.  Charles, on the right, has four young children.  In case you aren't aware of it, therapists and social workers don't make a lot of money.  He and his family were very excited to get a FREE tramp, even if it was used.  Jordan said his kids were waiting at Charles' house every bit as excited to jump on it too.


On a very cold and windy Friday they came to take it away.


Lulu had to check out what was happening.

Now there is a blank spot in our yard and it actually looks much nicer, but it made me realize again that my children are growing up into young adults.  They are trying to find their way in the world and figure out what to do with their expanding future.

We can't slow the process down and it's what we want as parents, to raise independent people who can take care of themselves.  It's a challenge to let them go even when it's the right time.  It's another part of the cycle in the spiral of life.  I still can't help feeling a little sad that it's the end of another era, even if it's the beginning of another one.

That's My World today, go see what else is happening on the planet here.

14 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

We went through something similar. I took our son's swing set down and had it hauled off. We put it up 9 years ago for his birthday and I don't know how much time he spent on it but he outgrew it and its gone now.

We have a trampoline just like the one you had. It'll be gone in a few years I figure.

Christina, Sweden said...

What a great story. I agree you have to let go and the next era will come. And, it will be appreciated by someone else :-)

Christina, Sweden

Barb said...

I liked this post, Loran - the idea of Life moving on. It's sad and sometimes scary. I think you're going to enjoy the next episode, though.

EG CameraGirl said...

It is a sad time. But new adventures are ahead, really they are!

Sylvia K said...

My four have been grown for sometime, but we did the same that you and your husband are doing and there was sadness or wistfulness at realizing they were growing up so quickly. But we did encourage them to choose their path to follow -- that wasn't our thing to do, just to be supportive. It's not always easy, but I see the four of them now and the lives they've made, the choices they have made and I'm very proud of each of them. A little sad sometimes that they grew up so quickly and that they live all over the US, but they're pursuing their dreams and I'm so very proud of all they've accomplished. Marvelous post for the day and thanks for sharing, Loran!

Sylvia

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Yes---Kids do grow up so fast... My sons are 46, 40 and 38 now.... Yipes!!!!!

Glad you found someone who will love that trampoline.... That is neat of you all to 'pass it on'....

Have a great day tomorrow.
Hugs,
Betsy

Gaelyn said...

Oh Loran, it is sad to watch our children set out yet also a joy to see them growing into their own. Jump for joy, without the tramp.
;-)

Martha Z said...

I remember when my boys left for college, it was so hard to see them go. When they came home on break it was so nice and then hard when they left again.
Eventually though, life took on a new rhythm, now I'm glad to see them and happy to see them go back to their grownup lives. I'm retired from being "Mommy" and glad to just be "Mom".

Jim said...

Everything changes.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Unknown said...

Oh who's the dogger in the blog header? It looks quite happy being there.

Well, the good news is that the trampoline is going to be giving lots of joy to another group of kids :)

DeniseinVA said...

I can imagine the mixed emotions you had to see it go. Glad it's carrying on and will give another family lots of happy memories.

Susan at Stony River said...

Congratulations on the nicer-looking yard, and on knowing that at least it's going to kids who'll have a wonderful time on it, instead of just heading off to the dump as many do.

But I felt for you reading this post. I'm going through something similar now, sorting through things for a move so only the essentials are going -- a lot of things are getting left behind which are painful to part with because they were part of our lives so long.

Well, onwards and forwards!
:-D

George said...

I remember bitter-sweet moments like this as my children grew up. I think I know how you feel.

Linda said...

It is so very strange. I thought it would be a case of a tough couple of months once the first one left for university and then things would move on to another stage, but I keep discovering new things that hit me about his having left home. The main thing is that it all goes so quickly and I wish we'd had at least 4 children so that I could have been immersed in being a mum for longer.