So, I am watering.....
Tonight I am thinking about my daughter who is now off to her freshman year of college. This is what she looked like as we drove her down to deposit her at her new home for the next nine months....
We arrived and moved her into her temporary housing for the first four days while she participated in marching band camp. This dormitory had air conditioning....
She didn't want us to leave so we hung around for quite a while. I think she was really mildly traumatized by the fact that this was really "it" and she would probably not see her home for a month.
I then casually mentioned that her brother, dad and I should probably get back on the road home and this is what I saw....
She wasn't quite ready for us to leave yet, but there really wasn't much for us to do either. So, we all strolled outside and looked around the "turf" outside her dorm. This was to be the gathering spot for the freshmen band members at 5 PM. So, we waited and chatted, and she chewed her fingernails...
Finally, a few other girls walked over to the "turf". We encouraged my daughter to go over and introduce herself. She hesitated a moment and then finally agreed. She walked over and joined in the circle and....
The moment her butt hit the ground, we were outta there!!
We aren't coldhearted parents. We just knew that we needed to use the opportunity to leave. We returned four days later for the kids were all moving into their permanent dorms.
We are still going through a period of adjustment... many ups and downs. I think the ups will begin to outnumber the downs for her soon. I for one haven't shed many tears on her departure. I think I'm too excited about this next four-year adventure she will be living. Also, knowing she's really only an hour away brings me great comfort.
9 comments:
Truly, Dot! It is so hard at first. I remember my parents getting in the van and driving away and it still makes me cry. I remember thinking, I want to go home and work in a day care. Who needs this college stuff. And then, eventually, things start getting better. She will start going out with her friends. She will start having SO MUCH FUN! She will love not having rules and being independent! And it will all be worth it.
You said she is just an hour away, right? Well, if you could, maybe you could drive down one day for lunch. Something totally impractical but she would remember it forever.
The night before I left for college my mom layed with me until I fell asleep. I will never forget it. I knew I was very, very loved.
And I know Colleen knows that too.
Awww Dot, she looks so sad! So reminds me of when I went away to college, but nearly 5 hours away. She will do fine but you already know that.
And I love what Life with Kaishon wrote. So very true!
Wow...you captured her emotions perfectly!!! Best wishes to her and your family for a great adventure in the next four years!
I remember this day too. Our oldest daughter is now 33 with her own family. But the day we dropped her off and had to leave, she wanted to come home and not even attend college. Trust me mom, as she adjusts and makes friends, she'll feel more comfortable and before you know it, you'll be wondering why you hardly ever hear from her.
Be strong, mom! ;}
m ^..^
Yep, What Matty said, it was hard at first but soon you will wonder why you are waiting on a call of email!
I remember the first year Ayleen was in the dorms at Chapman very well. She was also close enough to get here quickly but it was more that she was needy when she was sick with a cold. So I of course drove 45 minutes with chicken soup and a warm brownie. All she really wanted was to be a little spoiled and know we would be there for her.
The next time she was sick she went to campus med,then the cafe and then back to her dorm and called to say she was sick but dealing with it.
She is 30 and still calls to tell me she is under the weather and what would I do.
She made it through school in one piece and so did we.
About a week after she moved into the dorms I cleared the floor in her bedroom and put dog blankies on the bed and it became Tish's room, to share with her human sibling on weekends only!
WOW, those pictures speak soooo many words.
We will keep the both of you in our prayers during your adjustment period.
Love and Prayers,
Tim
Wow, Dot. T(hat brings back memories of my parents dropping me off at college!) What a great experience she is beginning! I think it's nice that you are only an hour away. That's just far enough to have to plan to make the trip, but close enough to get there fairly quickly.
I found you via Doreen. This looks like the campus at IUP. My daughter went there last year. She still lives in the town, off campus but sh'e going to Cosmetology school instead.
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