When trees drop their leaves allowing for expansive views, they reliably transition again into leafy green sources of shade in the sunnier months. Transitioning from one season, or phase of life, to another not only defines our natural world, but also describes the cycle of human development. Our kids move from childhood into adolescence and then into adulthood, navigating throughout all the inevitable and ever-so-reliable changes along the way.
Many of our transitions from one stage to another are recognized with public celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings and funerals. In this time of COVID-19, it can be challenging to find new ways of honoring these milestones. This being said, our mental health team encourages everyone to be creative and work together with family and friends to provide satisfying ways to recognize your student/s' accomplishments. Honor them! Celebrate them!
Be out-of-the-box thinkers, so to speak, and know that these “rituals” matter!
On a personal note:
Almost 4 years ago, shortly after my son left home and transitioned into his Freshman year at Oregon State University, I found myself sorting through “stuff” in the garage, and came across his little raincoat of years gone by. Filled with emotion, I sat down and reminisced. This poem is the result:
