Celebrating Their Independence {Bigger Picture Moment}

Those are some happy kids.

My daughter and her husband are in Maine celebrating the 4th and vacationing with her Cameron family.
My son's visiting his girlfriend and her family on the Cape. Or Martha's Vineyard. Or both - I'm not exactly sure!

Look at those sun kissed faces. Those grins. The twinkle in their eyes....

Today, as I thought about celebrating independence, I thought a lot about my kids. Not because I wished they were here (because I didn't)...Or felt somehow that my day was incomplete without them (because it wasn't)...No, I thought about how happy I knew they both were....in beautiful places, playing in the sun and waves and spending time with lots of people they love and that love them. And I thought about how proud of them I am. Both have grown into independent thinkers, and hard workers. Both full of faith. Both loyal to family and friends.

Independence implies not only a lack of restrictions, but also the ability to stand alone.

It's been years since they've had any "parental" restrictions to answer to. And, I hope they feel they've always been free to express themselves and be themselves and discover all it is that they were meant to   do and become. But it's only recently that I can say that I know....really know...from deep inside myself, that they are able. Oh, so able. To stand. To stand alone.

So I found myself today celebrating their independence. Rejoicing with them and for them. We all know that no path, no life, is trouble free. And so much of their lives are still to be mapped out. But I know that whatever comes their way...one step at a time, they will rise up to meet the challenges. They will stand up and take responsibility. And they will love, laugh and live it up as much as possible along the way!




Linking up at Jade's place
today to share our simple moments...