As home educators, we may not have the kindergarten moment of tearfully watching as our children head off to class, so ‘grown up’. But as they head out into the world with their small successes, and ultimately leave home for college or other ventures, we’re still destined to feel that heart clenching sense of loss jumbled up with joy. Mental Multivitamin sends a very handsome 17 year old off to school today, and sums it up nicely. In part:

But, in focusing on the moment I’m in right this second, I realize that sometimes a job well done feels like a terrible loss.

An empty place.

An unheld hand.

Wait. Come back.

Go. Be well. Be good. Be kind. Work hard.

Come back.