The following was written by Erma Bombeck and appeared in her book

"IF LIFE IS A BOWL OF CHERRIES - WHAT AM I DOING IN THE PITS?"

I SEE OUR CHILDREN

AS KITES

"You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.

You run with them until you're both breathless...

they crash...

you add a longer tail...

they hit the rooftop...

you pluck them out of the spouting...

you patch and comfort,

adjust and teach .

You watch them lifted by the wind

and assure them that someday they'll fly.

Finally, they're airborne,

but they need more string

and with each twist of the ball of twine,

there is a sadness

that goes with the joy,

because the kite becomes more distant

and somehow you know

it won't be long before

this beautiful creature will snap the lifeline

binding you together

and soar as it was meant to soar...

free and alone."