I take it back

Now that time is approaching for my two oldest sons to return to college for the fall semester, I take back what I said in the last post. I SO don't want them to leave. I don't think I've updated at all about Clemson since our first visit there. Both Ben and Jordan were accepted to Clemson as transfer students. They will begin classes on August 22nd. There was no available on-campus housing so we've located an apartment a couple of miles from the university. It's always hard to have them leave after they've been home but this time will be even more difficult. They will be 750 miles from home. I know that's better than several thousand miles away but still...it takes 13 hours to drive there. They will most likely fly home a couple of times during the semester for a long weekend. And then there's Christmas break which will be almost a month long. If I look at it that way I can feel pretty good about it. I'll end up seeing them about as much as I did when they were only a couple of hours away. But, that's not how I'm looking at it. What if they need something? What if they get sick? My "what ifs" make up a long list with each one being followed by, "and I'm 13-hours away?" In my head I know they will be fine. In my heart I'm not so sure I'll be fine. I love them more than words can express and despite my last post, I greatly enjoy spending time with them.

I'm going to spend the next week telling myself that everything will be fine. And then on August 22nd I'll spend 13-hours leaving a trail of tears 750 miles long. Do me a favor, next summer when I complain about the level of activity at my house, remind me of this post.   

Comments

[maryann]

its hitting here too....in 2 weeks my baby will be in his apartment to fend for himself.
a friend that has done this before (her daughter is a senior somewhere)...."you thought childbirth was painful???haha!! just wait til you drive away from their apartment on moving in day!"

thankfully my little guy is an hour away....and his lovely girlfriend is HERE.....he will be back!! :-)

if there ever IS an emergency...i know people...LOTS of people that can get there or are there already to help you in any way...
Clemson is about 3 hours from here but LOTS of our friends go there...so if one of your boys ever needs HELP! NOW! ...remember me and i will put the chain to work!!

[Deb]

Thank you Maryann!!!

[Tim Dahl]

I remember going to college. It was a 6 hour drive from home. Close enough that I could drive home for the holidays and not be dead tired, but far enough that my mother wouldn't "drop in" on me. :-)

I'm not saying that your boys wouldn't want you to drop in or anything...

Tim

[mike]

Nice new digs, deb. They'll be OK. I can say that but my married daughter lives 1/2 mile away, my oldest lives 15 minutes away, my youngest still lives @ home & goes to the local community college -- and they ALL are usually at our house with husbands, boyfriends, and several other friends (Your summer sounds like our "all the time"). It's nice to know that our adult children still like being around us old farts!

[Michael]

Hey its October.
You still coming here?

Take Care
Michael