Mama Diaries

Monday, February 4, 2019

Miss Independent

Today I watched my daughter drive off to school by herself...in her own car.

It's kind of a weird thing to see the kid who used to dress up in princess costumes and have tea parties with stuffed animals suddenly turn into a young adult.

This past weekend, she bought her first car. I'm not one of those parents who just gives my kid a car. She had to work hard to earn the money. She saved it until she finally had enough to buy the car herself. The sense of accomplishment on her face when she brought it home was priceless.

It's a bittersweet thing. On one hand, I'm glad she's becoming independent and growing up. And it's kind of  nice not having to be the taxi service. On the other hand, now I have to worry about her safety on the road. And I know she'll never be a little kid again.

Next year, she'll be going off to college. That'll be another big adjustment!

How was it for you when your kids grew up? Was it hard on you? Or were you happy to see it?

And since it's about time for the IWSG post, I'll add that.

This month's question is, "What other creative outlets do you have?"

That's an easy one. I am a professional musician. I play and teach violin, viola, and piano. But I also play cello, ukulele, guitar, mandolin, harpsichord, and xylophone. I also write music. Mostly songs. But I am thinking about writing a concerto for viola and orchestra. All the contemporary viola concertos are very modern-sounding. In my opinion, they're not concertos that the average person would like to listen to. The ones that are nice, are not considered difficult enough for professional orchestra auditions. So, I would like to create a viola concerto that's pretty and technically challenging. Now I need more time... 

63 comments:

  1. Good luck to your daughter and safe travels to her. You must be one proud mum.
    I share your love of music......could play a few tunes on the piano by 2yrs of age and went on to pass many examinations. Have fun with your music Sherry.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Music is my other creative outlet.
    Good for your daughter. Buying the car herself will stick with her. She'll probably take better care of it as well.

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  3. You sound like one proud mom and rightfully so. I guess you never stop worrying, that those worries just change/get added to as they get older.

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  4. Hi, Sherry!

    Congratulations to your daughter on working steadily toward a goal and accomplishing it with no shortcuts or help from parents. You can be proud of her. If she is levelheaded enough to save money and buy her own car, chances are she will take good care of it and drive responsibly too.

    Knowing your musical talent, I think you would be capable of writing a fine concerto for viola and orchestra. Finding the time to do it is another matter, as you already mentioned.

    Enjoy your week, dear friend Sherry!

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    1. I think you value something more when you have to work so hard to get it. Enjoy your week as well.

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  5. I think it's hard when your children start driving and becoming more independent. It's a difficult thing in my view. But I felt more confident as time passed and our children showed good judgement( most of the time) Best wishes to your daughter and congratulations on earning her first car. I applaud you for having her earn it because it will be much more precious to her.

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    1. I try not to worry too much. She's a responsible person, so she should be fine.

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  6. I remember teaching my daughter to drive in the snow when we lived in Michigan... she is a good driver but I miss her being my "little girl"

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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    1. It's so hard to see your kids grow up when you remember them as little people. Makes you feel old.

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  7. My kids are 6 and 3, but I already feel like they're growing so fast. It is bittersweet as they change, but it is good too:)

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    1. 6 and 3 are good ages. Enjoy them while they're young. You have a whole new set of things to deal with when they're teenagers!

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  8. Our house was always the gathering place for our kids and their friends, so it was an adjustment as they grew up and moved out, and the house grew steadily quieter. Even so, when we took our youngest to college, my hubby and I exchanged spontaneous high fives when we exited her dorm. Sure, it's a little tough to see them grow up and become independent, but there's also a huge amount of new-found freedom for the parents, too. And I can honestly say I've never been sad about having an empty nest.

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    1. The empty nest is right around the corner for us. It'll be nice to have a clean house, though. My son's room especially is rather messy!

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  9. Great that she got it herself, will definitely appreciate it more.

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  10. I'm with you on the safety on the road thing. Every time my daughter goes off to work, I wait for her to reach and message me to say she's reached safely. She's a Doctor and just started working. So its shift work. She left last night at 11.30 pm.

    And I kept watching the time to check in when she would reach. So its no matter how big they get, you'll always worry.

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    1. Doctors work long hours. I'm sure you're worried about her operating a motor vehicle when she's tired. I'm glad she checks in with you.

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  11. Teaching her the value of buying her own car is a wonderful thing. I don't have children so I can only image how hard and proud you were to watch her driving away this morning. Would love to hear a concerto for viola and orchestra that you had written. I bet it would be amazing.

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    1. It would probably take me a long time to write the concerto. Maybe if I start now, I'll finish in 20 years. :)

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  12. I am sure such an amazing feeling to drive her car with pride and at the same time seeing her grow up fast. Write and share your music with us, Shelly for would love to read your musical tale :)

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    1. If I ever write the concerto, I'll post the manuscript on my website: www.sherryellis.org

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  13. Oy, kids in my country would have to work till their retirement to buy themselves a car :))

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  14. Oh yes, all those adjustments are hard. My daughter is graduating college this year and apply to get into a masters program. She lives a few minutes away but lives with her boyfriend and has here own life. It's fun sometimes starting an adult relationship, but hard to accept that you are the center of your kid's life as well worries still and having lots of college expenses. Good luck!

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    1. College expenses. Something I'm not looking forward to!

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  15. So glad your daughter earned the money to buy her first car. You're teaching the value of hard-earned money early. Your many talents are an inspiration, Sherry.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy. So many kids around here have their parents buy them sports cars for their first cars. I don't think it's good for kids to have everything just handed to them.

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  16. Good for your daughter, and yes-- not easy for you. Bittersweet is the right way to describe it.

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    1. It'll be an adjustment once both kids are out of the house!

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  17. Oh my goodness! You play so many instruments. Congratulations on your accomplishments. And happy IWSG Day! http://www.raimeygallant.com

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  18. When our children grew and flew, one of the things I missed was seeing their friends. I like the company of young people. It's good to see one's offspring developing their independence, and leaving home is not the end - it's the beginning of a new chapter. They come home with 'extras' and very soon you find yourself wishing for elasticated walls!

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  19. I knew you were a musician, but I never even thought about you writing music/songs. Sounds logical, though. I love it!

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  20. Wow, you are very musical indeed. I have a clarinet player and a violin player in the house.

    I'm very anxious about my kids learning to drive as well. I think they are responsible, but you never know what kind of crazy drivers are out there. Sometimes the thought of them going off to college makes me drool over all the extra time I'll have to do things, and other times, the thought of not being able to keep an eye on them sends me into a panic.

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    1. I worry about the other drivers, too. And at school, there are so many inexperienced drivers. I hear about collisions in the parking lot. Hopefully that won't happen!

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  21. Fantastic that your daughter worked and saved up for her own car. I can only imagine how it makes you feel to see her drive on her own, though. My little guy will be 9 this year, so I've got a ways to go before I have a young driver.

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  22. While there were moments of melancholy, I felt mostly joy at seeing my daughter achieve each milestone toward adulthood. Now that she's 25 and married, I get such a kick each time she shares something she's learned that I don't already know. I'll always be her mom, but my job was to help her until she was ready to launch, and launch she has.

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  23. I don't have kids of my own, but I am watching my nephews grow up, and I can't believe that my oldest nephew will be starting high school in a couple of years. The thought of them being that old is strange. lol

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    1. I watched my younger cousins grow up. I was a teenager when they were babies. Now they have kids.

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  24. Parents are always faced with this dual emotional response when their baby makes those huge leaps into their own adulthood--especially driving off in their own car. I sure had my share. Now, I'm the one driving away, and they call me to see that I made it home safely. Ah life. How splendid it is.

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    1. Haha! That's great! It's like a circle, isn't it?

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  25. My kids are still young--8 & 5. But yeah, even the little things about them not needing my help anymore is both a cause for celebration and a reminder that soon, this'll all be in the past.

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    1. It's nice when they start getting independent. Your kids are my favorite age for kids. They're more independent than when they were babies, and they don't have all the teenage issues.

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  26. I am so happy for your daughter Sherry! Good for her! I don't have any kids, but I imagine, it must be hard on you!
    You are so talented in every way! Good for you, with all you have accomplished with your music! Big Hugs!

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  27. I can imagine it is a powerful moment when one sees their child so independent for the first time. Here is to lots of safe driving. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. She's very careful. Hopefully everybody else around her will be, too.

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  28. Wow! That's a lot of instruments. Congratulations to your kid on driving and buying a car. Very exciting time.

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  29. In awe of all your musical accomplishments. So, so impressive! Writing a concerto sounds like such an incredible goal. Good luck, should you ever find the time for it!

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    1. It's on my list of things to do. We'll see if I actually do it.

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  30. You're so creative! Good luck with writing that concerto :-)

    Ronel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It

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