<p>Overanxious mother - great, heart tugging post! So much of what you said exactly describes my feelings, experience, ups, and downs. And yes, doing that first laundry after the drop off is no laughing matter. I found a random sock of s's and started to cry. Thanks for your eloquent words.</p>
<p>Anyone said goodbye at the airport?? Then they go across the country without you or husband...
UGH!!</p>
<p>Wow, I thought I'd be ok...I've really talked about it, thought about it and thought it wouldn't be too emotionally draining. I'm tearing up reading this, while my D is downstairs with her friends at a goodbye party. I know she will have the time of her life, I know she's scared, I know she's excited! We've had a great summer, she's been gone for a few weeks and now she's home, leaving a week from today. Her siblings are still at camp so we've huridly finished everything so that we can have family time. She leaves for her pre-orientation trip and then my DH and I drive 19 hours to deliver the goods. We're staying the night of drop off, even though we may not see her after.</p>
<p>It's just so strange- I knew all this was happening but I still picture her 13 or 15, not ready for college.</p>
<p>Overanxious mom --
Wonderful post. Helps a lot. Especially voicing "And it's not S going away, or growing up, or being who he is, on his own, that makes me sad--it's just the transition from one life stage to the next when I hadn't gotten tired of the one that I was leaving when it came time to end."</p>
<p>And your "second" son...s's friend...what a gem!</p>