Permission slips

I have been signing them since she was born 

For registrations 

For injections 

And vaccinations 

For baptism 

For health insurance inclusion 

I have been signing them since she started school 

Permission to go home early 

Permission for school tours

For the annual school photo 

For trips to the library 

And the panto

For scouting trips 

I have been signing them since she moved into secondary school 

For examinations 

For school tours 

And retreats 

For work experience in TY 

For trips with the law team 

The debating team 

And the team building up a mountain team 

For cinema trips with the history and English class 

For permission to leave early 

Permission to access her locker when traffic kept us late 

And To be absent for a day 

I have been signing them for passports 

for day trips 

For college open days 

To get her a bank account 

A CAO registration form 

And permission to record for radio 

For all sorts of miscellaneous reasons 

On 4 April 2015 I will sign my last permission slip 

She turns 18 on the 5th 

She's an adult

A college student 

Free to vote 

To move out 

To find her place in the world 

I'm so proud of her as she turns 18 

And of finally being free of permission slips 

But in a way I will miss 

Signing them! 

Ends 

Copyright: Brenda Drumm