Our daughter is fulfilling a Bucket List dream, and it’s got my momma heart twisted all sorts of ways. I’m proud, immensely proud, but of course I’m also nervous.
A journey of 500 miles begins with a single step…
She’s hiking over 500 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, more than half of that just her and her dog.
Our adventurous daughter!
Michelle & Jessie
Her husband saying goodbye to his 2 girls. He’ll join them for a section in a couple of weeks.
Saying goodbye brought tears; pride mixed with fear and wonder as her dream became a reality.
Hard for me to say goodbye…
As we watched her disappear into the bushes over the weekend, feelings similar to when she left home for college crept in.
There they go…
She is certainly all grown-up… so capable, determined, and smart. But she’s still my baby girl, and this time she’s literally out in the wild blue yonder!
Not many women brave this trail solo, and we support her in every way. Still…those daily text messages confirming her progress and safety are highlights for me. I’m looking forward to picking her up in about five weeks when she’s all done.
How about you…When have you had a hard time letting go?
inspired2ignite 
Aug 03, 2014 @ 06:36:34
Letting go – no, I don’t think I ever do that with my (now adult) children, but I try not to let them SEE my fingers clench tight and my heart twist as they go about their adventures. Now I have tiny grandchildren, and I have to learn to clench and twist invisibly that much more!! I love these pictures of your brave adventuresome daughter, and I love the way you shared how a brave, loving mom tries to let go.
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Aug 04, 2014 @ 18:09:25
Your description of clenched hands and heart made me smile in commiseration, Pam!
I imagine my heart will do all sorts of new twisty things if I become a grandma!
Thanks for visiting!
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Aug 01, 2014 @ 14:49:40
What a great adventure! I’m jealous, especially after last year’s St. Olaf pilgrimage. I’m hankering for another. As for tough goodbyes with my kids, in my experience thus far, nothing holds a candle to going off to college. Life changes forever with that.
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Aug 04, 2014 @ 18:07:28
I agree, Allen! Going off to college is one of those life-changing events (for parent & kid!)
Whatever you decide on to placate your itchy feet will no doubt bring lots of stories !!
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Aug 01, 2014 @ 04:35:21
I remember when I drove from NH to Colorado by myself, my mother followed my journey via a map. Every day she would guess where I was, and by night, when I called her to check in, she would mark it off on the map. She said it was her way of traveling with me. 🙂
May your daughter have a safe and wonderful adventure!
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Aug 04, 2014 @ 18:06:10
That’s a great story, Kate! I love your mom’s idea!
Hubby and I just got off the computer, tracking her GPS that pinged about half an hour ago. Then we looked up on Google Maps to see what it looks like where she is.
So exciting! Each day that goes by I’m less nervous and more excited!
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 19:58:38
What a fabulous adventure, Denise! You must be so proud of her 🙂
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 20:05:22
Indeed!
Thanks Dianne!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 15:28:10
Watching our daughter — when she was a junior in college — get on that airplane to fly to Ireland for a semester abroad was hard on all of us! But she traveled all across Europe — often alone — and it turned her into a strong and self-reliant young woman. But it’s hard to let go!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:02:51
Hi Elizabeth, wow…that does sound hard! It’s the hardest times that really refine our traits. That’s so encouraging about your daughter! Thanks for sharing 😉
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 08:30:57
hard to let go? We have two “little boys” 29 & 32………..everyday, I fret. ha
I loved the way your story was so honest and real and amazing.
Please take time to relish the daughter you raised. So strong and courageous.She must have gotten some of that adventuresome spirit from someone close to her? 🙂
Thank you for sharing the butterflies in your stomach.
I have a strong feeling, I would be anxiously waiting for a daily text message.
Smiling. I ADORE that you inspired someone to be so brave.
Well done, mom.
Please share when your daughter has completed her journey.
Until then, know that oodles of good karma are sent her way.
D
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:04:05
Hi Daleen, yes! butterflies were aflutter for sure! She is strong, resilient, and brave. I admire that girl so much!
Your boys sound very special to you! 🙂
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 07:50:22
What an adventurer! How great that she has her dog with her (you’re never alone when you have a dog, right?) and that her husband will be joining her for part of the journey. And a daily text for reassurance – perfect!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:06:33
Ah, coming from another dog lover! 🙂
Unfortunately, Jessie’s pack slid around so much it was making some tender spots on her side no matter how much Michelle tried to modify it. So, Jessie won’t be completing the journey after all. A disappointing but necessary decision.
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 04:40:14
What a shame but a wise decision in the end.
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 06:27:34
Oh, wow! What a great adventure for her!
Last month, my nephew, with his wife and four children, completed a 13-day 93.8 mile Smokies Transect hike. They really enjoyed it!
Blessings to you and your daughter!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:07:13
Thanks, Joe! That hike sounds pretty intense, too -especially with children! That is a brave and adventurous family!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 03:40:38
You should be so proud. And I know it’s gonna be a long five weeks!
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:07:54
You got it, Karen!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 21:09:16
Wow thoughts and prayers of safety and peace for both of you!
Diana xo
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:08:50
Thanks Diana! She’ll be crossing into Manning Provincial Park in September.
Just in your neck of the woods, right? 😉
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 06:10:28
No, it’s a province over in BC. I’ve never been actually – I had to look it up!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 21:07:29
definitely hard to let go however so vital for them to be independent and not make decisions based on what their parents might want. Hang in there. Not easy this parenting of adults.
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:17:14
That’s such a great point, Sue. We’ve got to let them live their lives and make their own choices -just as we get to do. Parenting means putting ourselves out of a job! If we do it right, we’re unemployed! haha!
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 05:58:38
That is a perfect way to look at it. Success is becoming unemployed. 🙂
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 20:15:34
Hi Denise,
It is very hard to let go but we have to give them the wings to explore the world, we have to accept that our babies have grown up and ready to leave our nest…the ache of love and pride hits us right at the heart – the parental bonding seems so brittle at such times!!
Wishing your daughter the best of her adventure and you a lot of emotional resilience.
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:18:21
Thanks for your understanding and support, Balroop!
She is such an adventurous spirit, and lives life to the fullest!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 18:14:39
That is a truly amazing and exciting endeavor, but I can see how you’d be worrying. It is natural. I am certain my parents worried when I left home 27 years ago, and I know I’ll be worried when it kids strike out on their own… Right now my oldest (16 year old boy) is canoeing the boundary waters in Minnesota and I am worried and praying. I’ll add you daughter and her pup to my list. We give our kids wings and roots for a reason. Looking forward to reading about her progress – Godspeed.
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:19:26
Thanks Clay! Your new driver is out canoeing eh? We teach them to be independent and curious, to live life well -then we get to bite our nails when they do it! haha!!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 18:09:40
Hi Denise,
So happy to have run across you this evening. The first sentence and description of your momma’s twisted heart jumped out at me and I couldn’t wait to visit.
Much love and prayers to your daughter as she makes this amazing journey. Any chance you’ve read “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed? If not, save it for after and read it together as Mom/Daughter when she gets back.
Even though my daughter is not hiking the Pacific Trail, she’s out on a college adventure of her own and it’s hard letting go every time that grown up little girl walks out the door and heads back to school. She’s going to be a nurse midwife and bring other little girls into the world.
Things like these make a momma happy/sad don’t they.
xo
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:21:04
🙂 So true! In some ways those college adventures can be even more nerve wracking!! Michelle read Wild, but I haven’t yet. It’s on my always-growing “to read” list.
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 17:38:30
I completely understand your mixed emotions, but on the other hand, you must be proud knowing you have raised an independent and confident daughter.
We lived in the US for three years before returning to the UK, and our daughter stayed; it was very hard. We have to let them fly off and find their own adventures, don’t we? We did! I emigrated to Australia when I was only 20; I must have put my mother through hell, but it was something I needed to do!
We never stop being a mother.
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Jul 29, 2014 @ 23:24:07
You were a brave girl to make your way across the pond as they say -all by yourself! Wow!
Your daughter followed in your footsteps, in reverse! 😉
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 17:07:45
I’m putting you and her (and her dog!) on my prayer list right now. My daughter Allison just returned from teaching for a year in Seoul, South Korea, after which she backpacked through SE Asia for 3 months with the now ex-boyfriend. Skype and WhatsApp (international texting app) kept me sane but I worried a LOT. Yay for our girls, being so courageous and strong!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 17:25:03
Ah, thanks Diane! Yes, our girls are putting us to the test aren’t they? 😉
I wouldn’t want it any other way, but in the midst of it…whew!
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 16:36:51
Good for her. It’s hard to let go isn’t it? They will always be our babies. My boys are in their 40s and I still have to stop myself from giving them advice! 🙂
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 17:26:14
Yes, always!! 🙂
I am so proud, and I know that by doing something so unique and brave it is a good thing, but wowsa!
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