First Flights

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Trinidad and I filming together for an upcoming YouTube

The lasagna-ish from Thursday was pulled from the fridge Monday as a second special meal upon the homecoming of our 22 year-old son, Trinidad. Returning from a summer guiding hikes in Alaska, he shared stories and plans to start a guiding business there with a friend next year. He may use his “college” savings. Sharing in the bounty of our garden and laughing over a glass of wine, we enjoyed this drawing together.

And then it got better. A FaceTime call rang in from Sam who is on the coast and had just finished his first day in training to be a power line technician. Giddy and exhausted, he told stories of running with his class, boots on, and getting a grip on the scope of his work-to-be. “I can tell you I’m less worried and uncertain about it than I was yesterday!” he said. His best friend, returning from the shower, bobbed into view with a smile then chased him to the other room. They are in this together.

I cannot describe the extraordinary feeling of contentment that sits in me when I watch these fledglings take wing. Seda and I look across at each other, misty-eyed. Such sweet surrender, awe, and wonder. It’s the completion of a circle, one of many, over time. An important one, a launching.

Which launchings and departures are you a part of this week? How do others support you in taking flight, and how do you prepare the landing strip for them?