My Son, the Skywalker

In the end, you have to let go
and trust your own instincts, and theirs.
He was confident he could,
and I was confident he’d manage, but could I
bear to watch my baby,
only ten years old,
up there
above me,
striding through the sky?

On his face, and in his movements I saw
determination
concentration
confidence
and self-control.

But, between the trees, above me
I saw
fear, and I saw
mastery of fear.
Above it all, in my son,
I saw
courage
and the strength to carry on.

Sometimes, as a parent, you get those lightbulb moments when you realise both you and your child have crossed a threshold: they are growing up, and they have got to a new stage of life, with your help. You loose them from your apron strings a little, and see that they are able to manage so much on their own. And you heart just swells with gratitude and pride.