So, the night before we flew to Savannah, Georgia, to bring
my second son to college, I made one of his favorite meals – shrimp scampi,
garlic toast, blueberry pie.
I spent the
entire day with him – shipping the bike with some unexpected set-backs that
were OK since we had the whole day. We
packed the 52-pound suitcase – otto, gotta shave 2 pounds out of there. We packed it business-like, no emotion for either of us as I suggested the electronics, the nice pants and tie
“just in case,” the chargers, photos of friends…and what about the photo of the four of us?
And then he wanted the graduation scrapbook, just like his older brother had when he left for college. But there was
no way that was going to fit.
Some
things needed to be left behind…..
I suggested he call his grandparents for five or ten minutes
to let them know we were off. And when that didn’t pan out due to our own
errands and then spending a couple hours with his friend before leaving, I
suggested he email the incredible mask drawing he just completed on his
tablet. I said his grandparents (and I)
would love to have it. It was a gorgeous drawing.
Although I think sometimes Facebook makes me sad and feel
inadequate and addicted, the comments from “friends” about Ben’s leaving really
bolstered my spirits and my courage. All
can be good. My “friends” reminded me of
that.
All their enthusiasm for where Ben
is going and what Ben is doing…and how right it is for him….got me in the right
(needed) frame of mind to close the suitcase, get on the plane with him, breathe deeply,
and take this next leg of the journey, one baby step at a time.
Photo: waiting....Portland International Airport
