End of the Runway--By Peggy Dugan French--United States

End of the Runway

You are just a speck now, long past the runway.  You are soaring over mountains drizzled with snow, bountiful plains, and street lit cities with quiet and noisy lives unfolding.   You will land 3,000 miles away from me.  Now you are a young woman on a big dream-catching adventure, but once you were a young girl who would hold my hand in parking lots and snuggle close to me.  Those days you were often smothered in gold lamé and lace, captivating, original and always smiling.  Your smile will still melt a stranger’s heart, but life’s struggles make it surface less frequently these days.  I still wish I could fix any wrong that comes your way, but time and experience have taught me I must be patient, let you figure things out for yourself.  But today dreams can still come true, and hearts can meld and mend to create a new beginning.  The bond is still strong between us, but there is less fluff around us now, a more nitty-gritty talk flows between us. Homesick miles keep us apart in this new version of us, but we are brave and strong and we are still smiling.

                one last wave
                heart heavy
                heart singing

Peggy Dugan French is a California girl with Minnesota roots. She has enjoyed being the editor of Shemom since 1997. She has worn many hats over the years, but being a Mom has been one of her greatest adventures; she’s had the pleasure of sharing that journey with her best friend.