From a Mother and Father to Our Only Son

If these indeed be our parting words, then let us speak them through. We love you. We know not fully how or why, but we love you truly.

We seek the world for you, though we cannot bring it to you. Watching you grow, we see you stumbling and grasping, your early frustrations and your daily enthusiasm. We must view this all from a certain spot removed, for we cannot interfere too greatly in the process you have begun. We wish to lead you on, but it is you who must take the steps. As much as we love, and as much as we care, these are your choices.

We must speak our feelings truly, but we refrain from getting you caught in desires that are ours, not yours.

We are sad sometimes, and know not why, just like you. Your growing up and out, while beautiful, reminds us of the limits of our roles. You are already half gone from us, it seems. But from afar, and often up close, we can see how lovely you have made our lives.

Each moment special. Sometimes relived in dreamscapes. Our sorrow for your leaving us is short lived. We are glad to know this.

Now you go out and do as you are. We look at photographs and see ourselves in you. But there are elements far beyond what we see of you in ourselves. These are your mysteries, just as we have our own.

Perhaps there is more to come.

Let our words, put together, spell "thanks", and may our hearts share joy as they can.