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After move in day we had several days to explore Columbus, meet up with extended family and enjoy their wonderful Zoo before I flew back to Mpls/St. Paul and drove home on August 6th. Then the list making, shopping and packing began to move our son to college at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY.
The three of us left on August 13 spending nights in Rockford, IL and Cleveland, OH before arriving in Rochester after a visit to Niagara Falls. Our son moved into his dorm on August 16 and started his Honors Program Orientation activities while we attended some parent sessions. Then we said our goodbyes, met some relatives for breakfast the next morning and headed to Columbus, OH to visit our daughter Sunday night. Then a LONG day of driving on Monday and we were home.
I will admit to intermittent crying between Columbus and Chicago on Monday... I had thought the goodbye part would be the hardest but watching our son stride off to his evening activities on Saturday without hesitation made me so indescribably happy! I don't think it sunk in until we said goodbye to our daughter on Sunday night. All of the decisions, planning and moving are done - it's time to settle into the empty nest and watch them grow from a distance. And, one of the blessings of a large extended family is that they both have familiar faces nearby. What a comfort for this mom.
My husband goes back to work next week with teacher's workshops but until then we have some time together before I hit the UFO Collection in earnest and get back to a regular blogging schedule. I am more than ready to sew.
It i so hard to let go;but wonderful to see them go off confidently into their future lives...love the kitties--they are so pretty. Enjoy your return to sewing/blogging. glad to have you back online. Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that you are doing OK. I took an unexpected break from blogging and sewing also. My daughter just moved to her new home in Mudgee, NSW Australia and I am ready to spend some time in my studio. I thought I would be very emotional during her departure, but I just felt relieved and I knew she was ready. I think you are correct when you said it was a feeling of happiness watching the wings spread.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that the move went pretty smoothly for the kids and the kitties. And mom and dad will just need a little time to adjust. :-)
ReplyDeleteNew adventures await for all.
I'm from Rochester, where is your son going to school? I know your new time in life will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bitter sweet time I know. Some of mine have come back. Oy
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter went off to college 700 miles away.....I thought I was prepared. I cried almost 400 of those miles home after leaving her. But all is well now, many years later. It was a time for growing for all of us. Enjoy your hubby and reconnect, watch the kids and be there for support, and know they will truely blossom because of all the prep work you put into them. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on seeing both of your children so well settled. I'm sure it is difficult to see them move away, but it sounds like they are both well settled. Try to distract yourself with a bit of sewing, I'm sure it will help.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about ya!! So glad all went well. Looking forward to watching you tackle those UFO's!!
ReplyDeleteNow is a time to sew and enjoy!
ReplyDeletePretty kitties :) Empty nest is not too bad, lol...just compare it to when the kids went back to school or something. Having said that, every time I thought my nest was empty, one of my three sons was moving back in for awhile / back and forth and then the grand children come along and it's back to playpens and primary colors, toys everywhere...and oftentimes, chaos :)
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