In a month, my son will graduate high school. My younger child. How did that happen? He was the baby. Life has always been Phoebe, and her YOUNGER brother, Brendan. Phoebe has always had anxiety about her brother. The last few years have been, “When is Brendan coming home? What time is Brendan’s game? Where will Brendan be?” Let’s not even mention when his girlfriend comes over. She COUNTs the minutes until she leaves. Phoebe has gone to 100’s of soccer games, basketball games for her brothers friends, activities for his school, parties, etc. Her life has revolved around him in so many ways. She didn’t get to have that. She didn’t have a “normal” school experience. She didn’t have groups of friends. She lived through her brother.

Soon, all of that will change. This is the normal rite-of-passage, right? Usually, adult children, who turn 18, choose a career path after graduation. (That’s the hope anyway). Phoebe’s brother plans to attend college about 6 hours away. 6 hours. While none of us are really ready for this change, I worry about what it might do to Phoebe (and me). Her anxiety is already very high when big changes occur. Covid protocols for the last year only made that worse for us. While we did it, we had many appointments for med reviews, and mood issues. She won’t know where Brendan is, or what he is doing. She won’t have control. She won’t have all those games to watch, or his social life to keep her busy.

We face a new era of change. I am not sure how to approach it, and to be honest, it makes my low anxiety feel pretty high. I am so excited for his new path, and for his future, but can’t help but worry how all of this might affect Phoebe. Each stage of Phoebe’s life has brought about new challenges just like anyone else. However, she isn’t able to handle them, so I will. I will have to face all this change for her, and also be the mom who’s son is 6 hours away. I will take on all her emotions and figure out how to move forward. I will figure out how to make her new life a good one.

Let’s be honest…I’ll be taking on her emotions and crying on the side, as I watch him head off to college. It’s his time.

It’s the end of an era.

CLASS of 2021. How did that go so fast?