I tried to reply to this using the multi quote feature and failed miserably. But what an insightful post David.

My dad, a school teacher, always said there is no better teacher in this life than experience.

It facinates me to watch my grandchildren struggle to try their wings, to leave that save place and find/build their own nest. It facinates me to watch my daughters struggle with the changes. Now that I am removed from all that...been there, done that...I can see it for what it is but I am unable to ease them along their way...you just have to experience it yourself.

All I have to offer is my love and understanding of that necessary pain.

Life really is a rollercoaster and sometimes you have to hang on for dear life. A good friend of ours was a psychologist and he knew that I am afraid of heights...he once asked me if I knew why that was so and I replied, I'm afraid I'll jump.