And so it goes

I raised independent females. Mostly by accident, I think, since I’ve never really been sensible enough (or maybe optimistic enough? lol) to actually map out all that much. Least of all where other humans are concerned. And that’s what they have always been to me. Not MINE so much as precious beings in my charge. Works in progress. I was always curious about them. Would look into those guileless blue infant eyes and wonder who was in there waiting to become. I liked giving them choices to see what they would choose. I liked explaining things to them. When I said no I told them why, and they generally saw the sense in that. But when it wasn’t clear-cut, they could negotiate. If they came up with a reasonable compromise, we could do that. I loved watching their brains work. They were thoughtful and creative and smart. I was their person. Sounding board. Safe haven. A partner in their becoming. One has long been on her own, and does adulthood better than any other adult I know. lol She is almost fierce in her capabilities. She comes to me to talk things through so I can keep her from getting tunnel vision. The other has just left the nest. She’s testing her wings. Seeing what she can do. She doesn’t want as much of my input right now, more my support. She likes that I’m here if she needs me, but she’s enjoying this new world. I like how her eyes light up when she talks about it. They inspire each other, my girls. Prove to each other that anything is possible. I’ll always be their person, but it’s more of an ad hoc role now. I’ve always found this process uniquely and consistently double-edged, but the blade does shift in its quality and direction. They were never mine, but, of course, somewhere under there, they were. And so I stand amazed and just a bit bereft. ❤️