It’s the time of the season that reminds me what a wonderful world it is. In both a happy and sad sort of way. This month last summer, I was helping my youngest child and only son head off to college. Loose in the wonderful world. It was hard. Tomorrow, I will watch this time from the front porch as he packs up his belongings and heads out again. I’m afraid that it will also be difficult, but hopefully not as much so as last year, when I was dumbstruck and wondering what happened to the little boy that I used to take to sign up for little league baseball. He’s still there, sometimes I see a glimmer of him. Something in the eyes, something in his sometimes confusion, something in his asking mom’s advice, something in the excitement to be free.
But every year, he gets a bit taller, a bit more confident, and I also see a glimmer of a polished young man, a young man who is ready to make his own way in this world. There’s still a bond that ties him home, but also an impulse, a yearning for adventure. The teenage boy defiance that once scorched our arguments is gone now. He has developed good habits, he is more orderly about picking up his things, about taking responsibility. Dare I admit it, but he has grown up. I wonder if there will ever be a time when I can watch him leave without tears welling up in my eyes, without that awful heaviness catching in the center of my throat, without that sinking in the pit of my stomach. I believe that time will come, but until then, I suppose that I’m not the only girl around who has had her heart broken by a cute college boy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsHfNtRJsnA
great post…love this song!
Thanks so much, Holly. I’m a big Sam Cooke fan 🙂
me too!
Great post. My son is a Junior in high school this year and I’m happy to read a positive outlook on an event I know will be difficult for me. (Maybe even for him!) 😄
Thanks, D.D. I’m more positive this year than last summer. I was a wreck, ha ha. I guess it gets easier….
This is beautiful. Even though my children are in elementary school I can relate to these mixed feelings and that was my wedding song !
Thanks so much. That’s a great song and one of my all time favorites! As moms, I don’t truly know if we are ever ready for them to leave….but it’s what we were preparing them for all along. I’ll be sad awhile, but I’ll find a rainbow soon 🙂
Yes , it’s hard but it’s true , and I know you will find a rainbow soon!
It is always hard seeing them go off, no matter how old they get…… And the thing is, that when they don’t have to come home anymore, it is love and trust that brings them back 🙂
Oh that’s so touching (and true). xoxo
Feel proud that you have raised him into the son that you want him to be. Great blog.
Thank you so much. I am proud that he is growing up strong and independent. In the next few days, I’ll get used to the idea that he is settling in and getting back to work on those studies 🙂
No, indeed. I already feel a bit like an empty nester now that my kids are more involved with their friends. I think they will probably go to college locally though. I’ll probably be chomping at the bit for them to move out.
Well, I thought I would be chomping at the bit too, especially with this boy, ha ha….
Roots and wings!
That’s exactly right 🙂
I don’t think we ever stop missing our little children.
I think that’s true, Bernadette.
Lana, such a touching honest post at what I imagine many experience at that bittersweet moment. How true about being grown-up but still that occasional confusion, asking for help. I have three years until my son goes to university. Know I’ll be proud as heck, so excited for him but also miss him terribly – we are such good friends (his words even!) He’s already excited though as it should be. Virtual supportive hugs flying there way to you…time for a glass of wine and chocolate methinks!
Annika, thanks for the virtual hugs! It really is bittersweet. Guess I’ll have some chocolate while I get busy on that next book, lol 🙂
Golly, but this brings it all back (and my Domer has only been out of college three years!). When I recall the hectic move-in (and out!) days, the joy of watching him walk into his campus world — straight of back and head held up — my heart sings, as will yours. ‘Tis a grand thing indeed for parents to see they’ve done something right — here’s hoping your son, too, will one day “reward” you with a Thank You that will leave you weak in the knees! What a journey it is, this parenting gig!!
It is definitely a journey! Yes, I’m excited about his future. I really didn’t expect to be sad again this summer, and it wasn’t as hard as last one, but gee, I’m gonna still be sad a few days. Time flies though, and I’ll look up and he will be here for the holidays 🙂
Beautiful post !!!!!
Thank you!
my daughter is going into fifth grade
And I still lost it
When I see how grown she is
Children are suppose to drive you
Up and down the wall
It says in the manual
Under product placement
As always Sheldon
That they do for sure 🙂 They do grow up so fast, though….
Sounds so familiar! My oldest (and only son) started college this fall. He’s off on his own, and I’ve seen that change in him, the move into a confident adult. 🙂
It is something to see that change and feel pride in our young adults. I’m sure I will become accustomed to my son being gone at some point 🙂