This is my first time.

My first time letting go.

My oldest child goes off to school in another state next week, and I have to admit, I’m having a tough time with that. The thought that for the first time in her life she will not be living under our roof. For the first time I have to trust her to the outside world. For the first time I won’t be right there for her for whatever she needs, and let’s face it, I can’t check on her whenever I need for my own piece of mind.

I know I’ve said this before at other moments of child rearing, but have decided that this, this stage of parenthood must be the most difficult. This realization that I’ve brought her up, and come to this point where I have to to send her out into the world to continue to grow.  I know that is how it should be. I know she will be fine. It’s me I’m worried about!  Knowing in my heart they grow up, while in my mind I’m clinging to her feet, dragging behind her screaming, “noooooooooo, my baby  I can’t let you go!”

I’ve heard the description of having your hear walking around outside of your body before, and now I fully understand the feeling. My heart will be four states away.  At the same time I am feeling excited for her, and grateful that she has grown into the healthy, confident young woman that she has.

Through my work with the United Nations Foundation Shot@Life Campaign we highlight the fact that where children are born should not impact their chance to grow up healthy and happy.  Eventually they should all have the opportunity to leave their parents home off on their own pursuits.

Vaccines save lives, it’s as simple as that. All children around the world deserve a Shot@Life, they deserve to celebrate first birthdays, first days at school, losing their first tooth, and yes eventually, their first year away from home.

During Shot@Life’s Blogust 2014—a month-long blog relay—some of North America’s most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions will come together and share stories about Happy and Healthy Firsts. Every time you comment on this post and other Blogust contributions, or share them via social media on this website, Shot@Life and the United Nations Foundation pages, Walgreens will donate one vaccine (up to 60,000).  Blogust is one part an overall commitment of Walgreens donating up to $1 million through its “Get a Shot. Give a Shot.®” campaign. The campaign will help provide millions of vaccines for children in need around the world.