Emotions

Emotions in the family are running high in my family right now.  It's a fairly typical transition from Summer to Fall, when the kids make the conversion from doing what they want to do, to doing what they need to do.  It's interesting that we train our kids from a young age to take 2 1/2 months off to recharge their batteries in some way, yet seldom if ever get that opportunity to do the same once you grow up.  But that's a different topic all together. 

What's not typical is that Haley is off to college.  Our oldest, our only daughter, and out of the house at least on a FT basis.  While it shouldn't have, the emotion of it all has snuck up on me as a Dad.  She's totally ready, good girl who is bright, capable and will make her own way in this world.  But that doesn't change the fact that I feel like a part of me is leaving with her.  You know, my kids are as much a part of my life as anything.  So her leaving is hard, really hard. 

The gravity of the transition hasn't really set in for her either.  I know it didn't for me at that age either, young adults just don't reflect that much on what's now behind them.  Instead their focus is forward, on what will be new, new independence, new environment, new place, etc.

Not really sure what the point of this post is, and not wanting it to be so cliche as saying "enjoy your kids while they are with you, blink and they'll be gone".  But like most cliches, it's true and if you don't really let it sink in you'll find yourself a bit surprised by what people have been telling you all along. 

Holly gets it.  She's very emotional and understandably so.  She's lives in the moment much more than I do, and more intuitive than I am in that way.  The boys?  Clueless.  Saying they'll miss their sister but in a very shallow way.  Really won't realize it until the Tahoe pulls out of the driveway with Mom, Dad, Haley and lots of her belongings loaded up and headed to Iowa City.  No screaming sister across the hall in her bedroom telling them to be quiet.  No sister driving them to and fro' to wherever they desire, free from the shackles of parents.  Nope, they don't get it yet.  But they will. 

And so will I. 

Haley-Do is ready.  Ready for the next chapter of her life.  And the rest of our family needs to embrace that.  We are, but we'll miss her so much.  We haven't even left yet, and I'm already thinking about when we'll be back to see her, when she'll be back to see us. 

Homecoming.