My houseboy has left the nest. I was not sad about the goodbye; it was planned. Never specified just when you are ready, and he was ready. I helped him use his skills to cope with life's many challenges, having raised a son of my own. As a writer, you will make mistakes, I told him, we will work through them and learn to face the reality that mistakes dont define you. I helped him reconcile with family, graduate from college, knowing he did the heavy work; I was his pep talk. If we were destined to stay together, it would be ok, but he chose to walk alone and thanked me for the strength and wisdom; I reminded him that I will always be there if he needed me. Real success is bringing out the best in people.
