Transformation in cleaning of a room

My 22 year old daughter returned home almost 2 weeks ago

4 years away, far away, with many travels

returning home with a college degree

"sloppy" / "drop & plop" could describe this child of mine

but i always preferred to understand it to be

"moving on into the next moment, the last one is done / can't wait for the next"

there's no stress in this child

no urgency or emergency

and she's very worldly intelligent

always advocating / scheming a "cause"

vocal on matters she cares / passionate on humanity

sometimes swimming with, many times swimming against

always taking a strong stand

i let her chaos reside

until today when,

i asked that her room be cleaned

meaning,

unpack the 6 suitcases scattered about

as they were becoming an eyesore

not to mention close to baracading the front entrance to our home

she actually started this "clean up" last night

as her boyfriend lay across her bed

(i am sure he learned many things about her last night)

she finished up alone today

7 bags of donations / 7 bags of trash

her room sparkles

... and there is a definite change

no longer a "teenager" haven

very little remnants of her beloved 'high school' years remain

clean, with space

is how i might describe it

photos / momentos of only 'certain events' remain

in my eyes, the ones which have 'defined'

defined, this child of mine

no longer "child", no longer "teenager"

but woman

capable

strong

independent

and "moving on"

building

on what she has been taught

learned

seen

experienced

and "dreams of"

i don't know that the doorway into her room

and the floor on all 3 sides of the bed

and the tabletops and bookcase

will remain uncluttered for long

but i do know

she has entered a new passageway

and any clutter that is to be strewn

will be thrown from yet another journey

and this mom

whom is not too proud to leave a little clutter behind herself,

very much anticipates and welcomes

the debris that undoubtedly will fall

from this grand and excitng new cycle

i love her room clean

but i also love that she lives

"her style"

and she knows when it becomes "too much"

and it is time to clean it up

move on

re-engage

start fresh

and "make space" for what is to come

she's a beauty, my daughter

in many, many ways

her mind, her heart

fascinate me

intrigue me

in both our sameness

and our difference

i'm not the mother who wishes back the years of childhood

but rather the mother who marvels at the growth

and constantly surprises at the newness with invigorated warmth and pride

to understand that i gave foundation

and to watch this building rise strong and freely

is wonderment beyond words

<3