So many emotions today.
I took Raleigh to the airport in Charlotte this morning. His adventure has began. His future has started. Adulthood has taken him from me. He was accepted into the Peace Corps prior to graduation from Vassar College. His assignment is in Senegal (Western Africa).
I was so proud of him as he walked away from me standing so very tall.
I felt so old standing there immersed in 23 years of memories. Yes 23 years of so many passions and dreams. They all rolled right down my cheek in the form of tears.
Every parent has hopes that their child will make the right choices as they become adults – today he did. So many times we held our breath and prayed. So many times we jumped for joy. So many times we cried for and with him.
Today there were tears but they were for pride, for joy and for me.
I feel so old today as my life is on the downhill swing and his is only beginning. I hope he has lots of adventures and learning experiences. I am sure he will have many learning experiences as that’s who he is; a learner.
He is my pride and joy. He is my Heart.
My chest has pounded all day with so many emotions but he will be fine and so will I.
It will take me a while to recover from the empty space in my heart and in the house but I will. I am just old and this is a new rodeo for me. He was excited, apprehensive and sad all at the same time! He will do just fine.
I can see this big red headed guy laying in his hammock in the middle of his African Village in his bright colorful clothing. Do you think he will stand out? I smile as I think of this visual. He will also have a book or his Kindle in his hands. This I do know.
He has spent the summer with me waiting to leave. This has been the longest period of time he has been at home since he was a Sophomore in High School. We had a grand time this summer but yet it was so easy.
He is an adult and acted more like one than a child! He has such an old soul.
I completed my Cancer Treatment while he was home. He took such good care of me that it was as if the parent and child rolls were reversed.
As I go to sleep tonight I can say that we did good and he did great.
He made the right choices. It has been a long day.