Invisible String

Oil on board, 30x30, Oak floater frame
 
 
It was a cold January morning and we packed up Emily’s car after winter break to go back to school.  
 
Penn State was expecting a storm and she needed to be on the road before 7am.
 
The holidays were over and a new semester was beginning.
 
The sun was just starting to come up through the trees in the meadow. 
 
We both stood there looking at the intense oranges and pinks.
 
She’s my sunrise and sunset girl.  Always pointing them out and commenting on how beautiful they would be to paint.
 
We hugged goodbye.  She sat in the car and Ned (our dog) jumped on her lap for one last snuggle.
 
We waved goodbye through the cloud of car exhaust as she drove out of the driveway.
 
And then the tears always start for me.
 
“And isn’t it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?"
 
There goes my baby.
 
Pride and sadness mixed together.  
 
It’s such an honor to witness her transforming into a young adult.
 
It’s a bumpy ride sometimes.  
 
Wanting to protect her from harm and catch her before she falls.  They need to get out in the world and “get dirty” and experience pain.  
 
And my role now is to be the soft place to land as she navigates it all.
 
As a mom that invisible string will always be there.
 
“One single thread of gold tied me to you”
 
I know she feels it as much as I do.  Separated by over 100 miles.  
 
But I know that with each sunrise and sunset we are together.
 
“And isn’t it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?”
 
 
Music reference: Invisible String, Taylor Swift
Photo credit: @alicia_birds