A few days ago my oldest daughter graduated from high school. I know it sounds like a cliche, but it truly was a bitter sweet moment.

I am proud of the woman that she has become. She is articulate, beautiful, kind, happy, considerate, intelligent and thoughtful. She has always been a great kid, but somewhere along the way she turned into a wonderful woman.

Lately, without my even really noticing that it was happening, our relationship has changed. Instead of telling her what to do, I now make suggestions. And the amazing thing is that she has started to take my advice to heart. Of course, she isn’t perfect – sometimes she doesn’t make the choices that I would like her to make. But all in all, she has a good head on her shoulders and when it matters, she makes the right decisions.

As mothers, we often dream of the day when our children will no longer need us. We anxiously await the day when they can walk, read a book, make their own bed, fix a snack for themselves, and drive. But when the day comes that our children don’t need us anymore, we are sad. On Brenna’s graduation day, I felt sad. I realized that my job as her mother was quickly coming to an end. Sure, she will still come to me in need from time to time. But she will do so as an adult, not as a child.

So it was with great joy and sadness that I watched my oldest daughter receive her high school diploma. She has so much to look forward to in her life. While I have taken care of her for eighteen years, it is now time for me to step back and let her take control of the rest of her life’s journey.