Boundaries

My children have always been very mobile.  The moment they left the safety of my arms they crawled, walked and ran away from me.  Eventually they acquired scooters, skateboards and bicycles and would try to press the limits of their freedom.  However, I would impose boundaries on their travel on the block and when they were mandated to turn around.  First, their movement was limited to riding up and down our driveway, then, after some pressure, to the Euczhscz’ driveway right across the street and back. I was nervous about that one because that driveway was sloped and they would careen into the street and maneuver sideways for a heart stopping turn.   After some deep reflection I bravely extended their boundaries from the Bellzer’s house a little further up the street to the Catalanos’ driveway—an entire three houses away; remember to turn around; go no further I would continually stress. Finally, as time progressed and after much pleading to increase their boundaries and, as they weren’t flattened by cars as feared, I imposed sweeping limits (imagine the sound of a flourish or cymbals)–stop sign to stop sign on our street; an entire block of freedom. There was a heart stopping point where I could no longer see them as they rode on their bikes all the way up the block to turn around at the stop sign. It was a complete act of faith. I would look out the kitchen window; stand at the front door or along the walkway and watch for them to turn around and make their way back. 

Today, they all have cars and passports and my first born is living across the country, fully employed with a fiancé and a fur family.  My second born is floating somewhere in the Atlantic, where I can’t even see her on my iPhone tracker, and my baby is poised to graduate college with a double major in Engineering and Physics.  So, at this point, with(out) trepidation, I remove all boundaries (imagine another flourish or cymbals)–You may officially all go past the stop sign and out to your future where I hope to catch occasional glimpses of your journey. Don’t turn around.