Part One
College Boy flies out of the nest Monday, when he and I drive the 186 miles down to Hendrix College. This week has been nuts with my obsessive list of things to take, all 630 items. No, I’m just kidding. I really haven’t counted up everything, but he will carry with him a well-stocked sewing kit, first aid supplies including a thermometer since you know who won’t be around for the forehead test (hey, it’s not me this time since daddyO is better at this) and a nice little tool kit from Target and a huge roll of white duct tape which should fix just about anything from ripped clothing to car bumpers.
The worst part of this week has been trying to get CB interested in shopping for jeans. I think he’d be happy with just the shorts we bought yesterday, but doesn’t it get a little chilly around Little Rock?
We are nearly there, but now we have to round up all of the stuff and get ready to jam it in the car. I am trying feverishly to reign in my emotions as I am not normally an overly emotional person. I just want to hug him and tell him, “Don’t you dare forget me, because I love you dearly.” Yet, I’m realistic and know that I’ll have to watch the Daily Show, the Colbert Report or South Park if I need a few laughs. He won’t be around to crack his jokes.
I won’t know when he has a bad day unless he wants to call me. When I left home, I didn’t do much of that. My mom would get tired of waiting for me to call and would finally ring me up with, “I thought you’d died.” I’m good at the guilt trip but not that good.
I guess I still have a bit of work on the letting go part.
But, I have quit worrying about him waking up for class. In addition to the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock with its 12 volt bed shaker (thanks Rev. Jay for putting me on to this), he’s taking a Sony clock radio and a battery-powered alarm. I think those should be enough to wake up the roommate.
12 comments:
I made the lists too when mine went off to college. A lot of the stuff got brought back at Thanksgiving becasue "it was just taking usp space". My #3 actually uses the ancient lightweight breadspread his brother had as a child instead of the nice comforter I bought because his room is "never cold".
It's hard to let go.
Ahhhhh, the apron strings.........
Oh, Good Morning Mom.
Let us get real now, you are on the eve of the greatest part of your life, retirement, where you have little or no responsibility, ability to travel, enjoy the fruits of your lifetime. Smile, they are growing up. Trust me, been there, done that.
Also, Change your entertainment list, those are way to liberal. Try Larry the Cable guy and Jeff Foxworthy. I love Jeff's line "If you can't says something good about someone you must be talking about Hilary Clinton."
Smile, have a nice day, good luck with you upcoming procedures.
College Boy will be fine. Fear not!
186 miles away, and you're worried? As Nero Wolfe would say: "Pfui."
I cried all the way home when I dropped my eldest off at university. It took a long time for me to understand she and I were on different journeys with pathways that crossed often. I feel for you, Sheila.
On the other hand, being empty nesters, you can now run around nekkid, should you so desire. I remember a friend who suffered terribly when her child left; when it was time for him to come home, she said...I guess that means I can't run around nekkid anymore!
Guess not.
LOL, marion!! I have difficulty trying to envision Sheila doin' the nekkid bit, but what do I know?
Sheila, isn't this your second time around the block? It seems to me that the first time should have allayed all of your fears.
Hazel,
I may find myself in a similar position. I've collected all this stuff like I was a Boy Scout setting out across the desert. He would probably be just as happy winging it.
Sarge,
I can't retire. It's my turn to work. I really have a lot of things I want to do. Of course, travel, but now that my role as a nurturer is diminished, it's time for a new journey. Love Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy in addition to Jon and Stephen.
Jay,
I know it's not too far. But it's still hitting me hard. I never thought I'd see him graduate high school and this is almost icing on the cake. I'm afraid to hope that I might see him graduate college and want to hold him close as long as I can.
Marion,
You are so sweet. I see your point.
Thanks, Don. It's not a pretty picture. Yep, but that one went away for 2 years and came home to study at a nearby college for a year before leaving to study abroad for his senior year, came home for a few months and got his own place. This one is different and not as self-sufficient. He had trouble finding his way to Montgomery's airport to pick me up. Maybe I should get him a GPS so he'll find his way home again. Ha.
Thanks everyone for listening to the whining. Can't say there won't be a little bit more.
We had one clinger and one blissful college student. We were pushing on the clinger and trying to hold onto the independent one! You know which one to worry about, obviously, so whine away if it helps! LOL
DB,
I'm sure they both turned out fine and dandy. The women are more sympathetic I've noticed. The men are like, you gotta be tough and not baby them too much. Ah, balance is what I strive for and when it gets too far one way or the other, it's not good emotionally. CB's dad is making him homemade ice cream today as his goodbye. Dad does have a soft spot after all.
Sheila,
All those little milestones in life eventually lead up to this big one. You seem to be handling it rather well.
Take Marion's excellent advice -- run around nekkid! (At home: not in front of any government buildings or anything like that. People might think you're from Broward County.)
Can't wait to read your update on all this.
BFF,
Miss T
Your son is entering a whole new milestone in his life Sheila, although I'm sure you'll miss him dearly. He's got the foundations to take good care of himself with everything you've given him, especially the sewing kit and tape. Not many young men would think about that!
Naomi,
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I will miss him, but I intend to keep busy.
Miss T,
I'll try to confine the nekkidness to the proper places. I am, after all, a proper person. Maybe I should try to be less of a proper person. Hmmm. That crazy woman you wrote about certainly will have a good story after she gets out of jail or rehab or wherever she ended up.
I'm afraid to hope that I might see him graduate college and want to hold him close as long as I can.
Sheila, the Lord willin, he WILL graduate and you'll be proud of him. And he'll go on to graduate school, too.
Fear not!
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