I had a small epiphany this year since school is about to start again. I had the usual, I'll miss my kid when she's gone to school, the house will be quiet again, etc. go through my mind, but this year, above all else, something new stood out. We only have a couple more summers and then she'll be on her own, away from us, away from ME!

My daughter is 16 this summer. She is now a "woman-child." Distinguishing between the two is confusing these days due to frequent hormonal mood swings and the inevitable daily grind over TMS ("teenage meltdown syndrome") over the most intricate of things. Things like, "I hate my hair!" or "You REALLY thought I'd wear THAT?!?!  How lame!" (even though she asked for "THAT" a mere week ago!)

TMS is evidenced by surly, frowning, totally exasperated looks followed by ROES ("Rolling Of Eyes" Syndrome, something ONLY a teenager can master with 100% accuracy guaranteed to get an effect).

TMS and ROES are followed by true sardonic wit (ever notice how sardonic and satanic are so close?) followed by "you just don't understand."

All summer long she's exerted her "independence" and we try to adapt, realizing that the "child" in our "woman-child" is fast becoming more a memory than a reality. Soon, she will be a woman and I won't have these long, hot, lazy summers to pine away and play with her any more. She'll be making ALL her decisions on her own without an ounce of input from us, her "protectors, her "mere" parents." (Oh God! What a scary thought, but is it really?)

I've learned to watch, listen and admire the person our daughter is becoming and to be thankful she has grown up enough to speak her mind and exert her true self. We are lucky to have her and our time with her is growing less and less as she feels the draw of life's adventures yet unlived.

Soooo, this summer, I've watched more keenly, listened WELL and taken MANY, MANY deep breaths. I'm giving her a little more space as she struggles to figure things out on her own. I am truly amazed at what she accomplished this summer. She is now a sweet, self assured, slightly more enlightened, slightly more analytical, yet compassionate young woman.

I couldn't be more proud yet I never miss her more as she boldly saws away at these apron strings and spreads her wings this summer.

Anyone got a parachute for sale? When she takes flight I want back up!