<p>These posts are making me weepy and proud to be part of such a wonderful group.
I too have an only, and when I was in the midst of applications, pre-screens, etc., and
not having a clue if our belief in our son was based on reality or a fantasy, I realized I was feeling
extremely hostile. I finally figured out that I was working so hard to help my son leave me!
Intellectually I knew it would be a wonderful thing for him to have a great experience in college,
but my heart hurt! Having bouts of sadness as he is getting closer to making his final decision, but understanding that this too shall pass.
I’m sending hugs and special admiration to all the parents and kids who are making this journey.</p>
<p>I just love this quote from dramamom0804 above:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You will still cry your eyes out tonight there is no getting around it. I did at my daughter’s last HS show and she was also the lead and died a violent death at the end. Sniff. But in so many ways I was really crying for the other kids. Many of them who loved the high school musical experience as much as my daughter did. She was the only one of all of them going on to study theater in college. For many of them, chances are it truly was their last show. It will not be Annelise’s. </p>
<p>Wish we all could help you out with the party. I can’t believe nobody is helping you. I love the cast parties and never missed a chance to help or host just so I could listen to the kids. </p>
<p>Hang in! Also don’t forget you have 27 more days before you really need to make a decision. My son doesn’t know where he is going either and like you, we are also about to embark on an expensive trip from the Northwest, down to So Cal and then over to Boston. I wish it wasn’t necessary but he is undecided too. It will be over soon!</p>
<p>Reading these posts & feeling a little teary. D is a freshman and this time last year we weren’t sure she’d be able to go to the school she loved and wanted to attend. And it was the same time as D’s last show! But she’s now in her first show in college! Yes, she went from the leading lady to ensemble & thrilled about it, but it’s a new adventure. 
When we visited the school we talked to the department and let them know that out of state tuition was the breaking point for us. D got a departmental scholarship that enabled her to go. I so hope it works out for all of your kids!!! AND CAN Y’ALL IMAGINE WHAT AN AMAZING CAST PARTY ALL OF US WOULD THROW??? Aren’t we all the ones who do the parties/organize/plan, etc??? Hang in there all of you - lots of people care!</p>
<p>Annelisesmom, I feel for you! This entire process has given the phrase “emotional roller coaster” new meaning for me. It is draining, and when you add in all of the auditions, travel, high school shows, senior year events, and everything else, it is a miracle we all have any semblance of our sanity left! </p>
<p>It is always darkest before the dawn. I echo the advice for deep-breathing, walking, and wine. Prayer and sleep are good, too. </p>
<p>Wishing you and your daughter all the best! (I noticed on the acceptances post that she has some wonderful options.) :-)</p>
<p>Annelisesmom, sending you hugs and lots of tissues, it is impossible not to be emotional during, what I called, “the last of…” period. As much as I swore I would not cry, I sobbed my way through last April and May. I am so sorry you have added stress on top of this, I hope your trip east helps resolve some issues. </p>
<p>I’m so glad you posted this! I have been so sleepless with worry tossing and turning about how to pay for this. I’m a single mom of five, and I have no savings, my parents are long dead, and I lost my house. I do have an ex who has to contribute to the colleges but the situation is difficult (don’t want to go into it here). My oldest son (25) is also applying for a transfer after a long medical hiatus, and he heard disappointing news the other day. I won’t be able to help him at all wherever he does go, and am very worried about loans for him. My older daughter applied to a post-grad art school and got in but will probably have to take out loans to pay for it too. </p>
<p>I thought I was alone too. No one around here gets it either. I go to work with a big smile on my face - I have to as I’m a teacher - then I go home and lurch from this or that task, then collapse in bed, then don’t sleep, then repeat the process. The other day my stomach was killing me, and I"ve begun biting my nails again, which I haven’t done in a while.</p>
<p>All I can say is that we are all together on this. </p>
<p>Thinking of you @connections. Both your own children and your students are luck to have a smart and caring person like you in their lives. </p>
<p>Hang in there @connections. Your children are obviously very smart and talented, and they will find a way. </p>
<p>I am very moved by all these stories and well wishes. Octaviar, I loved your inspiring story. Sherryjane, that is so difficult. I hope you feel better soon. Autoimmune diseases stink that way. They’re impacted by stress but stress is a natural reaction to life. When my father died at 51, the doctor told my mother, who had Parkinson’s disease, to 'not get stressed as that would make the Parkinson’s worse." Hah! How do you ‘not get stressed’ in a stressful situation, short of popping lots of pills or taking to drink? </p>
<p>Wow! You are all wonderful! I cannot thank you enough for the kind words and I am buoyed by your amazing stories. Many, many thanks for getting me through a very rough day. Closing night was wonderful and the very large cast party (40+ kids) was a rousing success. I’ve still got about 8 kids here who slept over. I’m relishing every moment. </p>
<p>Mazel tov annelisesmom!</p>
<p>I’m a single mother with 2 starting college in the fall. I gave up the guilt. I do what I can, they understand the limits. I’m not going to fret that I can’t send my kids to a $60k/yr program. There are plenty of places they can go, and they both chose schools carefully. We’re starting with no loans, but if they need them later, they are available.</p>
<p>I do think I worked extra hard to find the opportunities that would work for them and that I could afford. A school might not have everything, but it had enough to challenge each one academically and with their interests.</p>