August 17, 2006 @ 3:53 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized
1. Your eldest might be leaving the house but, consequently, so is a lot of his "stuff." 
2. You get to see how your kids really feel about each other, in the face of separation.
3. You drive out of the driveway with three in the car, knowing it’ll just be you & Pops pulling back in later that night.
4. You get to take a blank dorm room and help transform it into a pseudo-suitable new home. And, while I know it will never be quite the same as home, I have to say that I’m very happy with his new digs. I think he’ll be quite content here.
5. After a "quick" run to Wal-Mart (for last minute essentials & such) and $150 dollars later, Pops finds himself putting together a shelf…
6. …hanging posters and pictures…
7. …and setting up the computer. (Yep, that’s Phil Collins on Nate’s screen saver.)
8. You get a glimpse of what your son’s new study environment (I’m feeling very optimistic) will be like…
9. …where he’ll sleep…(the Monty Python poster has hung in his room at home for years and was one of the few treasured things that made the move.)
10. You get to meet new people, like his roommate, Michael. Quiet and thoughtful like Nate, we’re hopeful that our earlier fears of an Oscar and Felix pairing were premature. And you meet Michael’s parents and learn that you’re part of a much bigger club of Moms who are proudly – yet hesitantly -pushing encouraging your young to leave the nest.
11. You and Pops take him out for "The Last Supper" – for his favorite food (Mexican – wonder where he gets that?) and you try to make the meal last…for a long time. (‘Cause you know what happens after dinner.)
12. You hug him tight, hold him close, and tell him you love him and that you’re amazingly proud of him.
13. And then <big gulp> you watch him walk away, right smack into his new adventure.
Okay… I held back the tears until I read #12… and then #13 really got me. Thank you for sharing such a monumental moment with us.
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 4:08 pmLove ya.
#12.Could some one Please give me a tissue! I have four kids this brings on the memories.
My TT is up
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 4:40 pmAwwwe! You did so well mom. I’ve still got a very long way to go before that day, thank goodness.
Thanks for stopping by my garden.
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 6:33 pmOh, good luck to him!!! And you, you’ll cope I’m sure, pretty soon you’ll like it!
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 8:53 pmAw, what a great list! Best of luck to your son!
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 9:05 pmAWWWWW….I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I don’t know how you did it. Nathan looks so happy! I think you have a done a great job getting him ready for this new stage of independence. He will miss you, I am sure. But, you have given him what he needs to tackle all that lies ahead! Saying a special prayer for you! Love ya!
Posted on August 17th, 2006 at 9:54 pmwhere is he going to college?
Posted on August 18th, 2006 at 1:59 pmHe’s going to Sam Houston State.
Posted on August 18th, 2006 at 4:29 pmaww I can’t wait till I got to college…. see how my comment differs from the other ones? that was sweet though.
Posted on August 18th, 2006 at 9:15 pmThat brought tears to my eyes. I dread mine getting old enough to leave home. Can’t I just freeze them now and keep them at home forever? I know I know, I won’t be saying that if they are 25 and still living off the folks. But right now I want them to stay home forever.
Cindi
Posted on August 18th, 2006 at 9:20 pmbest wishes to your son
Mary, also mom to a new student
Posted on August 18th, 2006 at 10:50 pm