Tomorrow

Tomorrow my daughter leaves.  It's hard to get my mind around it, to comprehend the hole she will create by taking herself across oceans and continents to a place I've never seen, to live with people I've never met, to become somebody I can't imagine.  I'm so proud of her and so nervous for her that my brain can't cope with the contradiction, and I just walk around feeling muddled and numb.  But she's going.  The ticket is there on the counter, and the passport is in it's place on top of her brand new suitcases.  The suitcases are a lovely teal color, and as she stood holding one of them yesterday I realized they match her eyes.  They are new and unscuffed now, and she's anxious to keep them that way, but I just smile and tell her that they'll get beat up and dirty long before the months wear out, and that's ok.  It's what luggage is made for…adventures.  Let the journey begin.

We love you sweet girl.