Roots and Wings

September, 1984, with great trepidation, I left David at his first day of nursery school. (Almost) September, 2010, Kevin moved out. That's three years of working on just the roots part, twenty-six years of giving roots and wings and, after 29 years, I think we're completely into joyfully watching our offspring fly from our now empty nest.

As the older, David always was the first to experience new settings: nursery school, elementary school, middle school, music camp, band camp, high school, college, first apartment, first graduations, first full-time employment, and - joyfully - first one married. Being first hasn't always been easy but, in terms of actually leaving the nest, David's post-college transition was somewhat smooth---at least from our point of view. David never really lived at home after sophomore year since he worked on campus and lived in his apartment year round. Post graduation he morphed into full time employment at the university and just moved to a new apartment. There simply wasn't an official moment in which he left home.

Kevin's experience was different. Because his brother paved the way, the nursery school to college continuum was a bit less stressful...except for the first day of first grade which coincided with my first day back at teaching and caused us both major adjustments. Post college, the boy's paths diverged. Kevin attended grad school in Boston but our house was still "home" for vacations. Post grad school brought a busy schedule of free lance music work but circumstances required living at home much of that time. This year brings additional grad work in Chicago, new opportunities, and a new roommate and apartment.

Yesterday, Kevin and his new roommate made multiple trips from our house to the new apartment with enough percussion equipment and personal items to fill a McMansion. Their excitement was so palpable that I could see the "wings" on each of their backs. Kevin is confident that this new grad program will put the last little necessary polishing on his professional skills and that the next move will be to an orchestra position somewhere.

The nursery school the boys attended was named "The Mustard Seed". It's a rather unusual name but how fitting! The tiny "seeds" that attended that school have grown into magnificent trees and we couldn't be prouder and more excited to see what new gifts God has in store for them and us.