Where do We the Parents Stop, and Our Children Begin?

Life flies past as we raise our children.
They become young adults within no time,
before we know it.

Simultaneously as the children
were growing up,
there have been events,
environments and practices
that have molded us along the way;
a concoction borne of experiences
and memories that have made us
into what we have become;
and that vaguely remind us
how we got here, even if the details
have blurred out with time.

The memories remind us that,
even as age continues
to catch up with us,
we are nothing more than
the achievements and setbacks
that came our way in the journey.

We have raised them
and they have become
the independent responsible citizens
that we reared them to become.
They’ve left the nest, for good it seems.
They have shown evidence
that they are capable
of taking care of themselves
and they want to start something new.

They want to be away from us
and be with their ilk and peers;
as we slowly but surely
become weaker and more dependent
with every day that goes by;
feeling more and more vulnerable,
neglected and dejected.

As parents of such young adults
who now make their own money,
and want to break free;
when do we let go of the power,
the reigns, the decision-making, and
the authority?
Even when it breaks our hearts.

When do we, the parents, rest,
retire, hand-over, and submit?
And let the children,
whom we have referred to
time and time again,
as the leaders of tomorrow,
take over the property and the resources,
and take care of us.

When should we the parents stop,
pray that the Lord takes good care of them,
and let the children begin.