Family

I often think that moving away from my family, for many reasons, will be good for me. I have to leave my nest and explore horizons that my eyes dare to see. But here and there, I have a feeling of remorse or even fear, that if I am not near my family, they will deteriorate without me. How selfish. How dare I think that I am some tough, unbreakable chain that keeps my family together? That's selfish.

Time and time, though, I find that even my presence will not change the decisions my loved ones will make. I often feel scared for them, when instead, I should welcome the changes that will come. I should love them for who they are and for the challenges they will face. I should rather love the simplicity of moving on.

I love you all. I remember the little ones when they were still in diapers, resistible to sleep! I remember their little bald heads and fat cheeks. I remember summers with my brother and sister chasing me down the house when I had stolen a favorite toy from them. I remember rolling down brushy hills a million times, and feeling an extreme itch all over afterwards. I will always cherish these memories.

It's time to let them fly. I have to let you go, but I love you. I always will.