“You start kindergarten next week. What will I do Meghan? I just might cry,” I told her as we snuggled and I stared into those deep sea blue eyes.
She cupped my face in her sticky little hands and told me she would miss me too because “I like being with my mama.”
Then her big vibrant grin said with a little spunk, “Yeah, you’re gonna miss me. Just like that song.”
“What song?”
And then a little laughter joined the tenderness of the moment as she began to sing the Anna Kendrick song.
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me by my walk
You’re gonna miss me by my talk
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone
Oh, my! How true those words are! Her talk. Boy, can she talk. The endless observations and questions demanding immediate attention (especially while driving). The silence in the car just might seem eerie. The inability to have a complete thought without answering “what” to an attention seeking “Mom..Mom…Mom…” I might just wish it all back.
And her walk. She loves to hold my hand. Even if it’s just a short distance, she grabs my hand while I do a quick transfer of items, fumbling not to drop anything.
You’re gonna miss me by my hair, you’re gonna miss me everywhere…
She’s a hair twirler. That’s her “thing.” She always drank her bottle and twirled her hair. Maille played with her belly button. Brennan sucked his blanket. Madeline squeezed her blanket. And Meghan, she still twirls her hair around her finger.
Parenting involves steps of letting go. Share on X
Each step comes gradually until you send them out into the world to become independent adults.
Hannah was barren and desperately longed for a child. She made a vow that if God took her out of her misery and gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord for service. God gave her Samuel and Hannah kept her vow. As soon as he was weaned from nursing (probably around 3) she took him to the tabernacle to be raised by Eli.
I have prayed the same anguished prayers of a barren woman yearning to be a mother. After 6 years of infertility, my prayers were answered. How would I feel dropping off my long awaited first born child to be raised by someone else? I’m having mixed feelings about sending my youngest to Transitional Kindergarten!
My feelings range between Awe, this stage of my life is over mixed with Woo hoo I’m kid-free! Oh, the possibilities!
Hannah brought her child, young as he was, and told Eli,
I Samuel 1:27
I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.
What incredible faith! How was she able to let go? As I studied this passage I discovered her deep level of faith and trust in God.
We can follow Hannah’s example when we need to embrace a stage in parenting that requires letting go. Share on X
When she brought Samuel to Eli, I would expect the Bible to say she reacted like most teary-eyed moms who drop their children off to kindergarten or send them off to college. Maybe we’d see a hint of the sadness we saw before?
Rejoice in God
But guess what she did? She rejoiced! Sure, she may have had tears but she rejoiced!
My heart rejoices in the Lord.
She praised God in a poetic prayer thanking God for all he had done.
What can you rejoice in? I’m rejoicing that my daughter got into a Charter school with a long waiting list. She’s getting a great education and has excellent teachers.
Trust in God’s Sovereignty
Hannah praised God for his sovereignty. She had confidence that God had ultimate control over her life.
Her foundation was based on the solid rock of God.
There is no Rock like our God. v2
For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants. v 8-9
How can you trust in God’s sovereignty? Did your child just receive their driver’s license? Are they struggling with friends at school? When fear and worry take over your thoughts, start praising God for His sovereignty.
Think Positively
Since Hannah trusted God she was able to think positively about her future. I’m sure she looked forward to her visits with Samuel.
Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him. 1 Samuel 2:19
God blessed Hannah with five more children!
Hannah knew how to embrace the moment and find joy.
How can you think positively about your future? Maybe you’ll be an empty nester soon. Is there a new hobby you’re excited to pursue?
I love comments! Are you in a stage of letting go? How have you embraced it? What are you learning?
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Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
I am approaching this time as my first will go to kindergarten this fall…yikes!! We spend 99% of our days together so this will be quite the change.
Thank you so much for your blog! You put into words that I have been struggling with in my mind and heart. My oldest and only son of 4 kids is a senior in high school. The emotions are crazy! I had forgotten about Hannah and that is perfect for I have been aiming for. My hash tag for pictures of his last season of playing football is “I will enjoy every moment” and my moto no regrets! So at the beginning get of this year I decided I will embrace each football game, each college visit,and every time I have to run back home for he forgot something for in a short while he will be in another state. I didn’t want to look back at this season of life and I all I remember is me crying or wishing back time. And this blog reminded me to praise God for how far we have come.
Thanks
I’m so glad this encouraged you Angie! It’s so hard to say goodbye and embrace a new season, but I pray that God would give you peace in your heart when your dear son moves and plenty of opportunities to see him. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I sure would love for you to come back and visit!
I agree with Debbie, Hannah had to have fully trusted Yahweh in order to leave Samuel with Eli and his worthless sons. Her husband was a priest, so I’m sure she knew exactly what went on in the Tabernacle. Other moms must have thought she was crazy too. Hannah was quite a lady of faith! My children are nearly grown, one is a few short years away from leaving the nest, and the other may or may not fly the coop. Even children with special needs may want to test their wings one day. I have to keep reminding myself that the whole purpose of having children is to raise fully capable adults. And that day comes sooner than you think it will. Remember when you were a child? All you wanted to do was to grow up –to be an adult, right? What precious gifts children are. They may not stay little for long, but they will always be yours to love.
I’m so glad you left such a beautiful comment here and added some insight into Hannah’s faith! Yes, I remember wanting to grow up and leave the nest. Although it tears my heart up, the purpose of raising them to be capable adults needs to be my aim. But I love the hope that even when they are grown and out of the house…they will always be mine to love. I love that!!!
My youngest just started Kindergarten this year as well. One of the harder lessons I’m learning is the new lesson of how to let go and still protect/provide boundaries with my teenager. Visiting from Small Victories Sunday
Hi Angela,
Thank you for visiting. I have a tween and it’s already hard to learn when to give freedom and when to protect. Parenting is a challenge that’s for sure.
I love the story of Hannah. She exhibits incredible faith to leave her son in the less than desirable company of Eli’s sons. My children are grown. But I well remember taking them to school for the first time! God bless.
Thank you for your comment Debbie!
Ahh, she’s too cute. I think letting go is harder for us than it is for them!
sometimes it’s harder for kids to let go than for parents
I never thought of that perspective (perhaps because my kids are still younger) but that is a great point!
I love this, Valerie! My kids are still fairly young, but internally I’m pre-emptively fighting the letting go. But the truth is every new stage really does bring its own beauty as well. I want to rejoice and enjoy it like Hannah. <3
Hi Katie,
That is true and a great reminder, that every new stage brings its own beauty. I love that! Thank you for your kind comment!
You put a lot of thought into how Hannah learned to embrace the steps of letting go, Valerie. I appreciate your message here, because it applies to all stages of letting go with our children. I’m in the process of letting mine go from the nest, and I can attest to all three of these steps!
My youngest sucked the two middle fingers of her left hand and played with her ear with the right. 🙂 You never forget.
I’ll be sharing your post on my fb page this week!
Your blog is lovely and I’m digging your graphic today! 🙂
Hi Ruthie,
Your comment made me smile. Thank you so much for sharing my post this week. It must be hard letting your children go from the nest after all the care you have given them. I can’t even imagine. But I pray that the Lord will give you peace in your heart and and hope for your future! So cute how yours sucked her two middle fingers and played with her ear. I can totally picture that. Have a blessed day!
Thank you and God bless you too!
We love this post, you’re going to miss me when I’m gone. This is so true, we have all been there. God bless you Valerie.