Author: Jennifer S. Kennett
There are few moments in a parent’s life more monumental than having their child move out to start his or her new life. Today, my eldest daughter moved into her very own home and embarked on her adult life. Although I haven’t written any poetry for nearly a quarter century, I guess her moving out moved me.
A Poem for My Eldest Daughter
The bittersweet boxes sit by the front door.
I see the gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
The future–her future–tugs impatiently at her hand,
I want to hold the door shut just one more day,
One moment more,
So the little girl I brought into this world cannot escape.
18 years rush by like a freight train on the night run.
Future, please treat her gently.
She is newly made
An adult.
This poem made me thinking what is going to happen to my daughter in two more years. She just turned 16. She made so many difficulties sometime I even questioned myself:” could I still hold on for more?” When reading this poem, and thinking of two years later, tears come to my eyes. I really want her to be a healthy and happy adult first before she moving out…
Watching our children grow up is an emotional experience. Thank you for letting me know that my poem touched you, and I hope she grows into the strong, capable young woman you want her to be. Letting her go is not easy. Trusting that your own parenting has been enough is even harder…