My daughter is leaving for college tomorrow.
I know it sounds silly, but it doesn't seem real to me yet that she will be gone after tomorrow. But I'm sure that by tomorrow night, it will be all too real, and I'll be missing her like crazy.
And although I know in my heart that she will have fun and learn to live without me, I also know that there will be a big hole in my life starting tomorrow.
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Such an exciting and big step full of mixed emotions; pride, and sadness all at once. ANd then you hope they will miss you as much as you do them.
ReplyDeleteI do understand how you feel; our daughter starts on Monday.
Your photography is so lovely, and very fitting.
Oh goodness I can so relate to just where you are. I used to say, Yeah for you... sad for me! But I just loved hearing all about my kids lives at college. It is wonderful to see how they developed. And our relationship developed in the nicest more grown-up way.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you! It is a whole new chapter in your life. One that you can focus on yourself... that's something you have probably not done since she was born!
xo Yvonne
I went throught girls leaving for college about 10 and 11 years ago. A year apart. It IS hard in the beginning, hard to rearrange your life, but she will come home, home to you and the life your made for her. Girls never really leave, they just get busy for awhile. Make good use of your time without her and she will be back soon. Time does indeed take care of things.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
Wishing you strength and calmness as you go towards the next part of your life. We're all more adaptable than we think we are and you will be wonderful. (I feel your pain).
ReplyDeleteBelle ed eleganti immagini :-)
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine. When she comes home for the weekend or a holiday, there will be so much to share and do. And you will wonder why there is still so much laundry!!!!
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding.....
Carol
Our Mikey...the first to go.... likely leaves the nest in January. I am fine most of the time...excited too...but every now and then my heart skips with the reality.
ReplyDeleteSending happy thoughts and hugs your way.
Becky K.
Oh my, this is a tough time, I remember it so well. You'll be okay and she'll be off making some great memories. Your photographs are just stunning.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Nancy
This is an exciting and scary time for her. Leaving the nest to try the world on her own. They were never ours to keep, only on loan for a few years, you are still her anchor that she will come to for help. You can now fill your time with 'metime'. I am send you hugs for strength,0000 and a few kisses xxx. Take care. Jen
ReplyDeleteI feel your words..my little girl goes on Sunday. Wasn't it just yesterday we were wiggleing her first loose tooth?
ReplyDeleteAwww...I don't know what it feels like on your end, but I wish your daughter the best of luck! These photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCall me....I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteOh Mary, that must be exciting and very emotional at the same time. I have read more than a few bloggers lately talking about a child going off to college for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you.
Mary, change is inevitable isn't it. I've experienced those emotions and still experiencing. But, just remember growth comes for you and her both. Thanking of you.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ placesofmyheart
bummer. xox
ReplyDeleteYes, time does go by so fast. But just know that the hole you fill tomorrow will quickly be filled with another part of her life. It really does get better and better. :)
ReplyDeleteHAGD! Karen ~ Some days are diamonds
Last year I saw my daughter off to college. It was one of the hardest things I ever did because secretly I was praying she would go to a local school...I didn't want to give her up. It's hard with daughters, they are friends as well. I survived by keeping busy. It hurt to smile, but I made it through the hard times. I wish I had advice or words of strength for you...I can only identify.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
Oh, that is such a day of mixed emotions. Love how grown up and capable they are and hate that they aren't small anymore. Yes, there will be a big hole. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you start a new period in your life. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThat big hole does shrink a little, but it takes time.
ReplyDeleteM.E.
Yes. We can not deny that it's true. It is also true that all the best things in life are coming her way and yours. May I suggest that you plan something really fun for the weekend? And, plan something really fun for the time when you and your daughter are together again.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter (my youngest) went to college in 2003. We had just moved to a new town 2 months earlier, I had to quit my job because of the move and my daughter and I are extremely close. She was so excited...I was happy for her. I was going to be really alone, not mothering, not working...no friends here.
ReplyDeleteThe day we dropped her off...I made it through unloading stuff, making her bed and saying goodbye (well, I couldn't say much). As we drove off and I turned around to see her standing on that big campus...I started crying the sobbing, ugly cry. We stopped at a bakery where I bought 3 huge chocolate gooey pastries and in between crying, I stuffed my face and cried some more. I got home and went to bed for a couple of days.
The good news...she rarely came home except on breaks, but the breaks were long and frequent. She called every day and still does (she moved 1000 miles away after graduation). My nest was empty, but she wasn't really as gone as I thought she would be. About a week in, I decided an empty nest was a pretty nice thing. It will be okay. Stock up on the chocolate for a few days:)
My heart goes out to you. It will be a good miss for all the right reasons. I went through this last year with my daughter. The good news is this year was a little easier. hugs♥olive
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Hang in there! hugs-mary from pa.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with Sue (Someone's Mom) because when we left our oldest daughter at KState the first time, we took turns sobbing all the way home - a four hour drive! Our baby is a college senior this year and I have a feeling that he will travel far away for a while, and that will really feel like an empty nest, even though he lives in an apt right now! That ache really does go away and you will find all kinds of fun waiting for you to explore! Really!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you as you send her off on her own. Carla
ReplyDeleteWell, I am prejudiced about Vee (above)-I think she is pretty world-wise. I would have to agree with her. Make some plans first for yourself, and then for the two of you when she comes home.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough, but you'll both have a new life together and apart.
All joys,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green island
Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteI understand you quite well. This year my son 20 y. moved only into Town, 30 miles away, first I thought ohh I will miss him a lot. Now He is the one ringing to mama and he is so friendly, before he felt more nerved by me, as boys do so, Mama the dragon ;-). I now also start to see the advantages. Yesterday we have been together in the cinema, never done so since years!!
We will support you with our comments!!
Anja
It is so hard to let go. I've let four kids fly the coop. They DO come back though! I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeletei am an empty nester after 29 years of having children at home with me (i have 5 children). at first i did feel very lonely but i have my hobbies and friends...and a much smaller grocery bill ;)when i do get to see my children it is such a special treat. (((hugs))) to you!
ReplyDelete(((hug))) Been there I feel for you !!!
ReplyDeletexo Kathy :)
Thinking of you, Mary. I remember becoming closer to my mom once I went off to college. It will be different, but it will be good.
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up on your posts. I do think you ought to fill a tiny part of the "hole" in your life by taking your daughter's place in feeding the deer...what a nice thing to do to keep her "presence" still in the home...and think how much she'd like pictures of them emailed or phoned to her.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I lived through two daughters leaving for college...it still doesn't seem real sometimes.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary......
ReplyDeleteSending prayers your way. My son just started his senior year of high school last week. Just the thought of him leaving home nearly takes my breath away. We raise them to be awesome adults, and when they become what we raised them to be, it breaks our hearts. Good luck to you proud mom.
ReplyDeleteHad to respond....my daughter graduated from college in May and I felt everything the rest of the responders felt ony 5 years ago, it was very hard at first...Dr. Phil recommended getting a puppy....that was not a great idea! This was the first fall that I haven't bought "back to School" clothes in 16 years....so I am treating myself! I have reached the stage in life where I can think of me and I have extra money to be able to treat myself pretty well sometimes! It takes some getting used and on the plus side you won't be tripping over flip flops all over the house, nor will you be stocking the refrigerator for her and all the friends...
ReplyDeleteAh Mary: She hasn't gone far. She is as far as the telephone or the text message or the twitter or the facebook. She will be home often I am sure. We are to give our kids wings to fly out of the nest. She will make you proud. Now you have time to do more of your fabulous photography and heck you have more room in the bathroom. Can't be all that bad.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read your post it Killed me-- brought back those days for me as well... I read a lot of the comments and agree to a point.. but I understand how you are feeling and know that this teaches us to drink up all the yummy when you have her back on visits.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping you are doing better -- its been a couple of days... but with this change you will see her grow into the young woman you have taught her to be and you both will be so very proud of the growth you both make!
biggest of hugs!
Oh Mary, I don't know why but it was much harder when my younger daughter left -- just the year after the older one. I guess it's the BABY that really hits you.
ReplyDeleteI spent a lot of time torturing myself, pulling out baby pictures and toddler pictures and cooing over them -- and getting a little annoyed that when you bring home that little bundle of joy from the hospital and everyone says, "Oh how wonderful! Motherhood will change your life!" they don't add, "...and by the way in 18 years you will be made redundant."
I know that we really aren't fired from our Mom jobs, but it seemed that way at the time. The roles just change a bit. I would turn the clock back to nursery school if I could!
Annie escaped New Brunswick and came to Southold with us this weekend -- it was such fun to hunt down yard sales with her -- but she'll be heading back this afternoon. And Alida is 3000 miles away. I hope your daughter isn't too far -- neither of my girls went away too far for undergrad, and I was able to lure them away for an afternoon of lunch and shopping now and then. That helped. a lot.
You will be so proud of her -- but it will be lonesome and scary, too. Wish I could help it feel better!
You'll have gloomy days, but it does get better!
Cass