Spreading Their Wings

Today is Alexander's 15th birthday. They grow up so fast, sometimes I just want to hit the brakes, tell them to slow down, enjoy the scenery and let growing up come in its own time. But let's face it, children are designed to grow up at their own pace and it's usually far too fast for their parents' peace of mind.
Today we celebrate his birthday. With friends and family. With his girlfriend and her mother and little brother. Tomorrow, Alex heads off for two weeks in Ottowa with them. Trish and I gave the go-ahead, but I, at least, feel some trepidation. It's scary even though I believe everything will be fine. Jenny's mother is a pleasant woman who commented on how nice and polite a young man Alex was the last time they were down here.
So many things going on in my children's lives. It's hard to keep track, to keep up, and to determine when and how much I should help and where I need to step back and let them make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons.
Ah, well. There's stuff to do, still. Cleaning and such. And remembering how the therapist kept asking what my plans were for my own life.
Still no answer.