I Really Thought I Had This Out Of My System
“In my heart you will remain forever young…and when you finally fly away I’ll be hoping that I taught you well …for all the wisdom of a lifetime no one can ever tell. But whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you win or lose. Forever young………………………..” For those dear friends who read the drivel I write, I apologize. I really thought I had already written the Son 1.0 goes off to college story. Apparently I didn’t quite get it out of my system. The first story was written weeks to early. Tonight is the last Wednesday night he lives in our home as a full time resident. Tomorrow is the last Thursday, etc, etc.
“May sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home…”
Surely we aren’t the first parents to send a child off to college. On the other hand, wife 2.0 and I are like Sarah and Abraham from the Old Testament. Son 1.0 is the child of our old age, the child we thought we would never have.
“Be courageous and be brave and in my heart you’ll always stay forever young……”
Son 1.0 is Matthew Jacob Strauss, National Merit Commended Scholar, Eagle Scout, Christian, good guy.
“May the good lord be with you down every road you roam……………..”
Matthew Jacob Strauss – His parents’ greatest accomplishment and their greatest hope. We love you Matt. Make us proud, we know you will.
“And may you never love in vain ... and in my heart you’ll always remain … Forever young.
See you next time.
I cried when I read this one....it makes me tear up even now when I read it again months after it was originally written. It captures exactly how I felt when, after hauling all her stuff into her dorm room and attending all the parent meetings, it was finally time to take my leave and say goodbye to our second daughter (who attended college in North Carolina) and then drive ten hours---all alone--back home to Little Rock....thinking the whole drive, how could I have left her there? so far away from home!!!??? and knowing absolutely no one!!??? It was one of the hardest things I have ever done....a leap of faith....the moment that a parent dreads ever since their child's birth--the breaking of a parent's heart. So my heart beat in sympathy to yours as I read this lovely and poignant posting. May it comfort you to know how universal these feelings are....you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteBrighter NOTE: Four years late, above-mentioned Daughter #2 is now a college-graduate and gainfully employed with a car and health insurance. But, now there are only 9 months and counting remaining until my "baby" (our last child and only son) leaves for some as yet unknown college.....time will tell how well we handle the truly "empty nest".....hmmmm....I feel the tears welling up now so better hit "post" and find a tissue!!!