I took Tuesday off to pack a UHaul trailer full of furniture, clothes, and sundries for a young couple heading south for their next chapter, their first together.

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After completing that jigsaw puzzle we had a celebratory/valedictory family dinner, picked up some sandwiches and drinks, and called it a night. Wednesday I was up at 4:15 to see off my daughter (and my wife, the driver.)

This departure feels different than seeing her off for her gap year in Israel, or each of the four years she was off to college in Northampton or Amman. A friend nailed the reason - this time it's not a time-limited departure. She is off and running.

I'm sad because something's ended. I'm bursting with pride because she's primed for life.