This is so beautiful @tarazkp! It's really difficult to understand the feelings that surround our children, isn't it? It seemed like yesterday my boys were babies, and now they're on their own, 20 and 22 years old. I know some will say it's always different for dads and their daughters, but I can tell you I had the same trepidation when they took turns leaving. It's a terrifying and exciting time for parents and kids alike, but it's a necessary evil in the whole parenting thing.

Here was the key for me and perhaps it may help ease things for you one day: trust that you've done a good job parenting; trust that she listened to at least half of it:); trust that she knows your heart and home is open whenever she needs it, regardless of why; and simply trust her to be a kind, considerate and intelligent human being.

There's a tendency 'these days' to keep kids at home forever, but I'm a firm believer that our jobs as parents is to prepare kids to one day leave; to equip them as best we can. Sometimes our best isn't good enough, but knowing we did the best we could is some comfort. And for some, like one of my sons, they need to learn life's lessons the hard way, and we can simply be there to help pick them up and dust them off, just like we did when they were toddlers!

He is the reason I drink by the way ;)

Thanks again for a beautiful poem! Cheers :)