The Morning Everything Began Again
The next morning, Emma woke before her alarm.
The house was quiet.
She went downstairs and prepared breakfast.
Soon, Sophie appeared in the kitchen, carrying her phone and complaining that she had barely slept.
They ate together.
They checked the travel arrangements.
They checked the bags.
Then Emma checked them again.
Sophie laughed.
“Mum, I promise I have my documents.”
“And your charger?”
“Yes.”
“And your keys?”
“Yes.”
“And—”
“Mum!”
Emma raised both hands.
“All right. I'll stop.”
But she did not stop worrying.
She knew that worry was part of loving someone.
The difference was that she no longer believed she had to obey every fear.
She could worry about Sophie leaving home and still encourage her to go.
She could feel sad about the changing shape of their relationship and still celebrate her daughter's independence.
She could miss the little girl who once held her hand crossing the street while feeling proud of the young woman preparing to walk into the world alone.
