REFLECTIONS ON LEAVING THE NEST

There was a time and it doesn't seem like that long ago that we had 5 little birds in our nest. One by one they have learned to fly and left our nest. Kelly was the first "fledgling" to take wing. I remember dropping her off at her dorm at what was then called "Rick's College" in Idaho. I had a big lump in my throat and struggled to repress my tears. My mind kept reviewing a laundry list of unanswered questions. Would she be happy there? Would she like her roommates? Would she do well in school and be ready for the challenges that lay ahead? Would she manage her finances responsibly? These were a few of the thoughts that flooded my mind. After helping her unload her car she turned and said, "Thanks, Mom I love you and I'll see you." "Wait, wait just a minute, where's the tears? Where's the pleading for me to stay, or at the very least, to not just leave her there with these total strangers. After all, didn't I teach her not to talk to strangers?" I hugged her and we left. On the long drive back to Utah my Mom, who had accompanied us, assured me that all would be well and reminded me that, "This is just the way I wanted her to feel, confident, happy and excited to begin life outside the nest." What I didn't know was that this was the beginning of what I call the "BIG PAYOFF". It didn't take very long after my return to the nest before the letters and phone calls of appreciation for home and family started. Don't get me wrong, she was deliriously happy and having the time of her life but she had move to the next level.

We have now seen 3 other fledglings take flight and their experiences have been very similar to Kelly's experience. I am the one who has changed. I no longer watch them leave with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye (just a second I have something in my eye....) because I love to see the wonderful transformation that takes place from fledgling to soaring Eagle. As my last fledgling stands on the edge of the nest preparing to fly I reflect on my job as The Original Wing and I hope that, just like all her siblings before her, she will take to the sky with confidence and soar.