Leaving Home
So my dears, today was all about being so very, very sad. Indeed, wallowing in sadness, and trying not to sob out loud at inappropriate moments. You see, my boy, my baby who grew up sometime when I wasn't really paying attention, my boy is going away, to another state, to a job, and a house and a new life.
And I am not the least bit sad for him, because he is clever, sensible, kind and funny. He will be fine wherever he goes. But I am so sad for me. Because he is clever, sensible, kind and funny, and he will be missed wherever he leaves. Which is here. Because somehow I blinked and he grew up. Such a cliche. But I imagine that the reason cliches are cliches and everyone keeps repeating them - is because they are so true and representative of the human condition.
He is leaving in just a few days, and when he is gone, that will be the end of his time at home. He will come back for holidays, but I can't imagine he will ever come back to live here. So just like that, after bringing him home from hospital and hanging over his cot for endless sleepless hours, holding his hands for his first steps, teaching him to read, to ride a bike, watching countless soccer games, coaching him through exams, anxiously teaching him to drive and watching him grow up and become an actual adult, we'll be watching him pack his life into his car and drive away from us..
My baby..
Still travelling through life, laughing in the rain..
xx
And I am not the least bit sad for him, because he is clever, sensible, kind and funny. He will be fine wherever he goes. But I am so sad for me. Because he is clever, sensible, kind and funny, and he will be missed wherever he leaves. Which is here. Because somehow I blinked and he grew up. Such a cliche. But I imagine that the reason cliches are cliches and everyone keeps repeating them - is because they are so true and representative of the human condition.
He is leaving in just a few days, and when he is gone, that will be the end of his time at home. He will come back for holidays, but I can't imagine he will ever come back to live here. So just like that, after bringing him home from hospital and hanging over his cot for endless sleepless hours, holding his hands for his first steps, teaching him to read, to ride a bike, watching countless soccer games, coaching him through exams, anxiously teaching him to drive and watching him grow up and become an actual adult, we'll be watching him pack his life into his car and drive away from us..
My baby..
Still travelling through life, laughing in the rain..
xx
Comments
Well Done you for raising such a lovely man and giving him to the world (and to some lucky lady). Think of all that is to come. Marriages, Births (Grand Children) ........
Two youngest already squabbling over The Boy's room. I think it would make a lovely library..
Oh, how I feel for you. We love our kids so much it is as if they are a part of us.
We are trying to prepare ourselves by travelling more and leaving our son some space. Our recent 5 week trip was a bit of an eye opener - it's kind of weird for a while to be a couple again - but you adjust pretty quickly! Take care.
cheers Wendy
I'm just glad I still have 3 at home, so maybe when the youngest leaves I will have got used to it by then. When I was sad about eldest leaving her younger siblings were sooo lovely, giving me lots of cuddles. Ok enough... now I'm really sobbing :(
Gretchen Joanna, we mothers always have to blame ourselves for something, don't we. I imagine my children are often very pleased that I am not 'paying attention'! Anyway, they know that we love them, that's the main thing.
Fran, that is my Anne of Green Gables look,can't you tell? And those are the faces of parents who have had approximately no sleep in 8 weeks, and who also are not keen on having their photos taken..
Clever you for leaving home, because for sure and certain, no-one leaves grieving children behind in a new-to-them house!
Wendy thankyou so much - you are so right, and I know The Boy will be fine. He house-sat with two mates for some family friends last year for three months, and they were super thrifty, and cooked, and even ate the occasional vegetable so I hear.. but it's not the same having to get on a plane to go and visit. Or give up nagging.. I LOVE nagging. He NEEDS me to nag..
Oh Judy, yes, now I'm sobbing too. I won't mention the puppy, it's already a constant refrain around here.
Thanks so much for all your lovely sympathy. Knew I could count on you all:)
Why does time go so quickly? Has the space-time continuum or universe changed? Your 80s look with your baby was only, like, yesterday. And now he's gone! Eat sme comfort food!
The dear boy is quite happy though.
But yes, comfort food:)
you will have to visit him. that would be a plan to look forward to.
take care, jo. today is raining down here and would be perfect weather for some very understandable wallowing XX
I hope your dear boy at least calls home on a regular basis.
xofrances
Frances, I'm sure he will call home as regularly as I ever did! Enjoy your pesky 14yo while you can:)
I imagine you are enjoying your weekends!