9 Comments
User's avatar
Tabby Ivy's avatar

fabulous writing!

Expand full comment
Sue Cauhape's avatar

Thank you, Tabby

Expand full comment
Sean Downing's avatar

What a beautiful testament to the ironies of parenthood! And to the strength and gentleness of your wonderful family. From the moment they pedal their bikes away from you the first time, you feel an emotion you never felt before, and the rest of your time with them is all about learning to manage it.

Expand full comment
Sue Cauhape's avatar

You nailed it, Sean. I did feel that way watching Val and much more recently her son pedal away from me on their bikes. Watch out world, here they come. sigh

Expand full comment
Carol Ann Power's avatar

I agree. This is so precious.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with us all today.

Kindest regards

Carol Power

Johannesburg

South Africa

Expand full comment
Sue Cauhape's avatar

thank you Carol Ann.

Expand full comment
Ellen Fagan's avatar

Such a beautiful piece! Love the honesty, vulnerability & humor here...& I relate madly to the emotional ache we go through as parents wanting our kids to be utterly independent AND still utterly needing us. Val sounds like an absolute gem.

Expand full comment
Sue Cauhape's avatar

Thank you, Ellen. And yes, Val's an absolute gem and she's now raising two more. I had to learn that if she were to succeed with her own dreams, I had to stand way back and let go. Only when the first child arrived did she need my help. And that was a blessing. I had a lot of fun with that little boy. Now I'm getting to know, in tiny bits of time, his little sister.

Expand full comment
Ellen Fagan's avatar

Sounds like a life very well & humbly lived, Sue. Kudos to you & your family.

Expand full comment