Kim Johnson – I celebrated Labor Day weekend a week early this year. Saturday, August 23, David and I welcomed Paige Kathleen Johnson into our family. She is truly a blessing and perfect in every way. (I know, I know. Every new mom says that.)
As I watched her sleep her first night home I wondered if I had done everything I could in preparing for her arrival to make sure she would be healthy and safe.
Would she be okay her first night in a strange “new” place? Was I feeding her enough? Was I giving her enough attention but not so much that she couldn’t establish her own patterns and independence?
Okay, probably over analyzed that last one, but at 3:00 a.m. as I write this, it seems everything gets a little over analyzed.
My thoughts turned to Paige’s future and what that might look like and then, not surprisingly, my mind turned to Freshman Saturday at Wabash. I couldn’t help but think of all the moms celebrating and remembering their “Labor Days” a week early.
Like me, they have spent countless hours in anticipation of this big day – letting go. There were celebrations and much preparation. But regardless of the time and energy spent prior to the “big day” there is no way to fully prepare for the bittersweet moment of the next step. Their little boys are now men.
No doubt the moms at least a few of the 256 freshmen spent the first night away wondering have I done everything I could to help prepare him for this day? How was his first night in the dorm/fraternity? Is he getting enough to eat? Should I call and check on him or let him initiate the first call?
Hmm. Funny how life works. We think we get our answers and find we’re right back where we started.
Happy Labor Day moms! I’m going to savor the moment because I know in the blink of an eye it will be Paige’s Freshman Saturday somewhere.
4 comments on “Labor Day”
What a beautiful baby! And how lucky she is to have such an insightful mother. I would love to meet you one day.
Letting go, I assure you, is an ongoing process & definitely one of the most ‘laborious’. It definitely helps to know that both my sons are at Wabash & surrounded by supportive & thoughtful people. Thank you for your blog. Get some sleep!
Blessings to you & yours~
nancy coggins
How well you put into words the essence of life’s passages. We can’t wait to meet little Paige – we surely do love her parents! xoxm
COngrats Kim. Wait until she starts asking you for a pony!
Congratulations, Kim! What a beautiful baby – and what a great story. And believe me, motherhood (and fatherhood, too) is all about “letting go.” After that first day at college comes that first job (“Did I tell him/her enough about how to meet somebody else’s expectations but still be his/her own unique self? Will he/she pay bills on time? Will he/she be safe living that far away, alone?” and so it goes…..Welcome to the journey! Nancy
Comments are closed.