It’s been awhile since I last shed tears…”Tears of a mother learning and preparing to let go of a teenager into adulthood!” I’m sure all mothers can relate to that! The thoughts of letting go of my baby, when it’s time to leave the nest (to further her studies), breaks me down! Today, as I attended the Parent Session for the confirmant, the reality sinks in and there I was, in the classroom of more than 30 people, I couldn’t hold back as tears flowing down my cheek. I just couldn’t bear the thoughts of Baby A being away from home. Well, the day will come! Indeed, it will. I can’t run away but having to learn and prepare myself to face the reality and wish that God will provide for Baby A and show her the best way of life, away from home!

As I walked into the classroom with a tumbler in my hand, filled with energy boosting coffee, I thought I was well-prepared for a 3-hours session of serious and heavy stuff on parent’s responsibilities of upbringing a child with Catholic faith and so forth! Little did I know, the build-up of the session was so beautifully arranged and the whole session went on wonderfully – beyond my expectation! A lot of self reflect element that I did not foresee! The sharing by the facilitator, a mother of four and a grandmother herself, touched me truly with her beautiful stories! The stories of how she encounter the challenges of bringing up teenagers and how she overcome those challenges and became a speaker herself. She shared lovely songs – The Arrow, Shoulders, Only Jesus, Find your wings, I count it as a Privilege and That’s how you change the world. Those beautiful songs with so much of meaningful lyrics that touches the deepest emotions of me – there’s so much beauty in “The Word of God” and the takeaways is ensure that I continue to guide Baby A to lead the life of God!

One of the very important lesson learned was “TO LEARN HOW TO LET GO”. We indeed love them too much, to let them go! All those decisions to restrict their freedom was indeed the Act of Love and the Fear of the possible hurt that those freedom might have caused! As they grow up steadily into adulthood, we, as parents, grow up into parenthood! As my mother used to say – “Someday you will understand!”. Those were the same phrases that lingered in my mind as well now!

My baby is no longer a baby! My baby is preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation! As I sat in the classroom and given this photograph to ponder upon….so much of memories flashed back into my mind!

Baby A – 4+ months
  • The 1st kindergarten outing that she joined… I learned to let her go!
  • The 1st primary school field trip with her classmates…. I learned to let her go!
  • The 1st State basketball camp with her schoolmates…. again… I learned to let her go!
  • The 1st secondary school camp with her schoolmates… I signed papers of consent and let her go!
  • The 1st sleepover at a friend’s place… I had to let her go!

All of the above paved the journey for me to learn with heavy heart on how to manage my emotions and LET HER GO! All of these, as I understood from the class, are pure ACT OF LOVE! As she journey into adulthood, I will journey into different phase of parenthood! As I aged and getting closer to half a century, I treasure every moment of my life with you, my Baby A!

“I hope one day when you are taking the similar journey that I’m going through, you will remember that God is Great and had provide a beautiful life for you!”

Love you Baby A, forever my little Baby!😘