Dear nécessité,
How are you? Guess what??? I graduated!! Yes, that is right, I graduated. I have officially helped graduate my two children from all their formative years of school. My son was my last child to graduate most recently, but also, I have graduated. It is now my time to shine more and move forward. And unafraid. To make a difference and to make it more about me again.
I dedicated and committed myself and gave my all to my children (Like you probably did as well), to raise them and to help them get through their educational journey, build positive character, exemplify a giving, caring, and loving spirit, and to learn and grow with them because that was my intention before the day I ever conceived.
I knew my vision for myself as a mother. I was so clear on it. It was/is more significant than I. This was my choice 100%. What a beautiful journey! I loved every minute. I am so grateful and thankful to have the blessing of being present and available for them all those years. I loved it all. Every moment of it. Even the aches and pains because we learned from them and got through them and became more aware and wiser.
To share it with them and not take it for granted at all. My mother was a single parent and had to work full-time, so she was not as fortunate to do all that I did with my children; therefore, I did all I was able and took advantage of being home to do so. I made considerable efforts to make it meaningful for them and me. For example, being able to go on all field trips, work the book fairs, volunteer for school events, host the play dates, and simply being there day in and day out making sure homework was done, attending school even on the days when they did not want to (and there were many many many of those days).
Equestrian, tennis, basketball, fencing, ice-skating, art classes, piano recitals, homeschool (way before 2020), snow days, trips to the zoo, to Borders bookstore, schlepping to hail a taxi in the rain, in the snow, in the cold, going to school during fires, earthquakes. Countless stories. The list goes on. But I must go on too. It is hard to be in control and your child’s advocate for so long, and then one day, just like that, you hop over the fence to explore the other side the other way for you again.
While I am not in my twenties biologically (spiritually, I am), it is letting that girl in her twenties have a go at it again. I am ready. It is time. I cannot press rewind and redo and/or relive, so I am pushing forward. My son and I were teammates these last few years together. Now I must be my teammate for me. I am still their example, but now they are watching me from the sidelines rather than me only watching them.
We are cheering each other on. We made it. I made it. NYC was the foundation of it all and truly the best part of it then, and that strong education and rigor in NYC did us all good and got us to where we are today. California was great simply for the friends my children connected with. Those friendships made are very rare and special. A great group of friends. Gems. I am so thankful. I will miss it all (snow days, having them home often, dinner time, the noise, the house full of friends and making breakfast for them all, everything), but I also embrace the beauty of what is ahead, not only for them but for me!
As their mom, I only knew one way: the school way. Being on a school schedule, school rules all these years. I’ll miss all the years described above. They were magical moments, and I mean magical. But the next moments will be even better, and honestly, I do not even know how that is even possible because I know how great it all has been, and the good outweighs the bad, always.
I am excited to share this next journey of me with you. nécessité is a huge part of it, but not the only factor. I do not let things or anyone ever hold me back. I have been the bird I am all my life, and I know what God has for me is about to be the best. Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, you name it. I am so excited. So, as this exciting but sad time of letting go even more, has arrived for me to graduate, I welcome it even through the tears!
Congratulations, class of 2022. Enjoy it all and learn, grow, and try new things as I know I am!
Much love & gratitude,
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Gut Health & Auricular Therapy (Ear Seeds)
Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition Certification T.Colin Campbell for Nutrition Studies.
Author of The Thriving Child and Shut Up and Cook!
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
