Can I Live With You Forever?

So that's the million dollar question! 

Is it the one we all wait to hear or dread will happen? 

Clearly, it came tonight from my super hero in the midst of a big anxiety inducing storm outside. He was going to bed, feeling reassured, safe and satisfied. 

He yelled down the stairs, "Mommy, can I just live with you forever? I had a really good lunch!"

Without a second of thought, my heart skipped a beat and i blurted....

"YES!"

Wait... second thought. What's the right answer to that question. 

We work our knuckles to the bone and brain to the brink trying to prepare these kiddos for independence. Real independence. And I just said yes, stay under my wing forever. 

Never fly. 

Don't take risks. 

Stay safe where you are. 

I guess that was probably the wrong answer, but what would you say? 

I needed him to feel reassured at that moment; that I'll always be there for him, during any type of storm, yet so ache for the day he might possibly have some independence from us. 

Sigh. 

Thank goodness, he only turns 11 next week. Let's table that question for a while. My heart and head can't handle the argument!