Setting Sail

I ran across this last year when my oldest son Ned was going off to college. It seems even more appropriate for sending Pete back home to Finland.

A FINAL GIFT: LETTING GO

(to a teen leaving home)

Boats in the harbor are safe near shore

Far from the unknown sea,

But just as boats were made for more,I

t's the same with you and me.

Those who would anchor their teen with a stone

In hopes of preventing a wreck,

Find that their fears are never undone

And the stone ends up weighting both necks.

So I give to you a port called home

Where your ship was built so strong,

And if you need to harbor here,

You know that you belong.

And I give to you the maps you'll need

That you may set the course

For places that I'll never see,

So go without remorse.

Tilting your sails into the wind

With hope, and vision and courage--

I kiss you once, then touch your chin

And wish you bon voyage!

-Michael H. Popkin