We dropped our son, Wes, off at college a week ago, and of course, except for one very short phone call, we have not heard from him. sigh. He has not blogged either (*he is the High School Slacker). I did see a video of him on Facebook, on a slack line (haha) throwing a frisbee, so I assume he is still there. I hear from my “other sons from other mothers” frequently…two of them have the H1N1 virus. Hopefully Wes will surface and remember he has a family at some point….and a commitment to blogging.
Ally, our college grad, leaves on Monday to move to Boston for a year of art school at Boston University’s Center for the Digital Imaging Arts. I’m taking her, so it won’t hit me until I’m on my way home. Maybe not even then since I am taking one of my high school senior students on college visits up there, and my niece will also be visiting. It should be a fun trip if we can all manage to stay well.
On one hand, it will be nice to have a clean, neat house with one less cat (Ally is taking Strider to Boston). I have also started to reconnect with some friends that have always been thought of, but there wasn’t much communication due to raising kids and being very busy. I look forward to renewing friendships, traveling, writing, and enjoying being a “couple” again. Randy and I have always taken time for ourselves, but even that time has included parenting discussions and wondering what our children are doing (that probably won’t change a whole lot, will it?). Don’t even talk to me about grandchildren…I am NOT ready.
There is already, though, a bit of a pull at my heartstrings…remembering little blonde heads and the pitter patter of little feet, and car loads of kids being here. That has always been the case, and since Wes and his friends have left, it is strangely quiet around here. I haven’t had little ones dressing for Halloween in quite a while…but the thought of not having Wes or Ally here for trick or treat is strangely…sad. Who will help me decorate? How am I going to manage all the Christmas decorating without kids around? Won’t it be kind of … empty? I don’t know, but I guess I will find out.
I think there are always positives about change…I am looking forward to the next stage of my life with anticipation. But part of me looks back and wonders how it went so fast! Will the next part move that quickly as well? If it does, I’d better get moving! But I am still going to miss them at Halloween.
Okay, I agree that Wes must be doing great since you haven’t heard from him. Allycat will do a better job at keeping in touch I think. I envy you your clean house immensely. I daydream about that, but plan to have Sunday dinners for whichever of the kids are around to come mess it up:)
I like the Sunday dinners…. but I like the idea of traveling to awesome places to see them, too!
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