Kirby has packed up and driven away
Sandra Dodd
Kirby, my firstborn, has packed up and driven away. I'm almost
completely calm. I have some confused butterflies in my stomach, but
the departure was peaceful and sweet.
I credit that to cell phones and e-mail. Tomorrow the cable guy
comes to hook them up for internet and cable TV. Kirby hasn't ever
had cable, and told the roommate he didn't really think they needed
it, but hey... Not many cities have a mile-high mountain right
outside with TV transmitters on it. And if cable is the way to get
internet, rather than by land-line phone as we have it here, then
he's getting cable!
Because I could call Kirby right now, and because he can call me if
he has so much as a flat tire, I don't need to have the fear.
It's not so long ago that I would've had to wait for phone
installation and long distance, or for a paper letter.
Now I need to start remembering to say "I have a 15 and 18 year old
at home."
Sandra
completely calm. I have some confused butterflies in my stomach, but
the departure was peaceful and sweet.
I credit that to cell phones and e-mail. Tomorrow the cable guy
comes to hook them up for internet and cable TV. Kirby hasn't ever
had cable, and told the roommate he didn't really think they needed
it, but hey... Not many cities have a mile-high mountain right
outside with TV transmitters on it. And if cable is the way to get
internet, rather than by land-line phone as we have it here, then
he's getting cable!
Because I could call Kirby right now, and because he can call me if
he has so much as a flat tire, I don't need to have the fear.
It's not so long ago that I would've had to wait for phone
installation and long distance, or for a paper letter.
Now I need to start remembering to say "I have a 15 and 18 year old
at home."
Sandra
wisdomalways5
--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
me- the joy of "not" wishing they would grow up and leave but stay
until they are ready to fly is such a different perspective. Thank you
for sharing
JulieH
>but
> Kirby, my firstborn, has packed up and driven away. I'm almost
> completely calm. I have some confused butterflies in my stomach,
> the departure was peaceful and sweet.Reading about his and your journey and departure has been so sweet to
>
me- the joy of "not" wishing they would grow up and leave but stay
until they are ready to fly is such a different perspective. Thank you
for sharing
JulieH
Cally Brown
Sandra,
Congratulations. You succeeded. You did your best to bring your kids up
to be confident and independent - and it worked. Damn it! Three of my
four boys have now left home to live at various distances from us and it
sure is a bitter-sweet experience. Even at this distance from you I am
feeling those confused butterflies back in my stomach once more - like a
sympathetic pregnancy!!
But as you say, we are so lucky with modern communications - think of
the pioneers who came to early America and New Zealand - no, don't -
it's just too horrible to contemplate how their mothers felt!
But as an unschooling mother who has a wonderful relationship with your
son, you don't have to worry about being cut out of your son's life as I
was with my eldest son. I didn't unschool him (it was a very unschool -
panic - schoolwork - unschool - panic - schoolwork pattern for him, I'm
afraid) and I wasn't respectful of him as a child or teen, so of course,
he wasn't respectful of me as a consequence! We have grown back together
heaps now but it's taken a long time - he's 26 now. But my other sons,
it's so easy, so pleasant, and I am included in their lives even at a
distance.
I still enjoy my sons, even at a distance - though I miss the physical
contact - the hugs I miss badly - but at the moment I still have one at
home and he is still there to give me hugs :-)
So, it's not a real hug, and it's not from your son, but.................
(((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))
from
Cally
in New Zealand, mother of Greg 26, Steve 23, Simon 20 and Jeff 17
Congratulations. You succeeded. You did your best to bring your kids up
to be confident and independent - and it worked. Damn it! Three of my
four boys have now left home to live at various distances from us and it
sure is a bitter-sweet experience. Even at this distance from you I am
feeling those confused butterflies back in my stomach once more - like a
sympathetic pregnancy!!
But as you say, we are so lucky with modern communications - think of
the pioneers who came to early America and New Zealand - no, don't -
it's just too horrible to contemplate how their mothers felt!
But as an unschooling mother who has a wonderful relationship with your
son, you don't have to worry about being cut out of your son's life as I
was with my eldest son. I didn't unschool him (it was a very unschool -
panic - schoolwork - unschool - panic - schoolwork pattern for him, I'm
afraid) and I wasn't respectful of him as a child or teen, so of course,
he wasn't respectful of me as a consequence! We have grown back together
heaps now but it's taken a long time - he's 26 now. But my other sons,
it's so easy, so pleasant, and I am included in their lives even at a
distance.
I still enjoy my sons, even at a distance - though I miss the physical
contact - the hugs I miss badly - but at the moment I still have one at
home and he is still there to give me hugs :-)
So, it's not a real hug, and it's not from your son, but.................
(((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))
from
Cally
in New Zealand, mother of Greg 26, Steve 23, Simon 20 and Jeff 17
Bob Collier
My daughter Bronnie moved from Canberra to Sydney in June. It's a
strange sensation alright.
But, as you say, also very different now to how it used to be. When I
left home, I virtually split from my family, except for an occasional
phone call and a rare letter when I could make the time and had the
energy. I'm still in contact with Bronnie every day.
Recently, she persuaded me to join Facebook. I do feel rather unhip
for this kind of thing, and I'm also normally a very private person
so it was a little scary at first to put my personal stuff out there,
but it's turning into a most excellent adventure.
If anyone here is on Facebook and wants to look me up (and meet 'the
man behind the mask'), please do.
Thanks, Sandra, for all the enlightenment and your words of wisdom. I
hope everything goes wonderfully well for you in the next phase.
Bob
strange sensation alright.
But, as you say, also very different now to how it used to be. When I
left home, I virtually split from my family, except for an occasional
phone call and a rare letter when I could make the time and had the
energy. I'm still in contact with Bronnie every day.
Recently, she persuaded me to join Facebook. I do feel rather unhip
for this kind of thing, and I'm also normally a very private person
so it was a little scary at first to put my personal stuff out there,
but it's turning into a most excellent adventure.
If anyone here is on Facebook and wants to look me up (and meet 'the
man behind the mask'), please do.
Thanks, Sandra, for all the enlightenment and your words of wisdom. I
hope everything goes wonderfully well for you in the next phase.
Bob
--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> Kirby, my firstborn, has packed up and driven away. I'm almost
> completely calm. I have some confused butterflies in my stomach,
but
> the departure was peaceful and sweet.
>
> I credit that to cell phones and e-mail. Tomorrow the cable guy
> comes to hook them up for internet and cable TV. Kirby hasn't
ever
> had cable, and told the roommate he didn't really think they
needed
> it, but hey... Not many cities have a mile-high mountain right
> outside with TV transmitters on it. And if cable is the way to
get
> internet, rather than by land-line phone as we have it here, then
> he's getting cable!
>
> Because I could call Kirby right now, and because he can call me
if
> he has so much as a flat tire, I don't need to have the fear.
>
> It's not so long ago that I would've had to wait for phone
> installation and long distance, or for a paper letter.
>
> Now I need to start remembering to say "I have a 15 and 18 year
old
> at home."
>
> Sandra
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/22/2007 12:02:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Sandra@... writes:
Kirby, my firstborn, has packed up and driven away.
___
I read this post early this morning and it has just stayed with me and
tugged at my heart. Every time you've posted about Kirby's upcoming move, I've
taken notice because I realize we're quickly approaching those days here.
I've been reminded of my own journey from New Mexico to Austin. I was in my
later twenties when I packed up a U-Haul and can still remember the
excitement as I started out on that trip. I had no idea that it was difficult for my
mom but I certainly can appreciate it now. I was there for 16 years but I
made that 14 hour drive back to Albuquerque several times a year to see my
family and it always felt like I was going home. I imagine that Kirby will also
know that road well...<g>
It seems good that Kirby's move has been anticipated and planned for so
thoughtfully. I hope I can be as calm as you have seemed when my children are
ready to make their move away from home.
Gail
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra@... writes:
Kirby, my firstborn, has packed up and driven away.
___
I read this post early this morning and it has just stayed with me and
tugged at my heart. Every time you've posted about Kirby's upcoming move, I've
taken notice because I realize we're quickly approaching those days here.
I've been reminded of my own journey from New Mexico to Austin. I was in my
later twenties when I packed up a U-Haul and can still remember the
excitement as I started out on that trip. I had no idea that it was difficult for my
mom but I certainly can appreciate it now. I was there for 16 years but I
made that 14 hour drive back to Albuquerque several times a year to see my
family and it always felt like I was going home. I imagine that Kirby will also
know that road well...<g>
It seems good that Kirby's move has been anticipated and planned for so
thoughtfully. I hope I can be as calm as you have seemed when my children are
ready to make their move away from home.
Gail
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=So, it's not a real hug, and it's not from your son,
but.................
(((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))-=-
Thanks, Cally.
And thanks for the nice thoughts, all of you.
Kirby called a while ago, 20 minutes from Austin. They're going to
stay in a motel tonight and get the apartment tomorrow, take the
trailer back, and Eric-the-roommate's dad is staying until Monday.
Kirby said from 2:00 to 8:00 or so he was out of phone range and they
couldn't call between cars either. He said he saw a whole lot of
goats and cattle. But he's well and happy, and I got to talk to him!!!
Last Thursday Kirby and I were in old-town of Sacramento, the 19th
century section, and went on a tour with Pam Sorooshian, Roxana, Roya
and their friend Howard. The in-character guide reminded us that
letters from California to the St. Louis used to go by boat from San
Francisco around South America and up the Mississippi.
No cellphones.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
but.................
(((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))-=-
Thanks, Cally.
And thanks for the nice thoughts, all of you.
Kirby called a while ago, 20 minutes from Austin. They're going to
stay in a motel tonight and get the apartment tomorrow, take the
trailer back, and Eric-the-roommate's dad is staying until Monday.
Kirby said from 2:00 to 8:00 or so he was out of phone range and they
couldn't call between cars either. He said he saw a whole lot of
goats and cattle. But he's well and happy, and I got to talk to him!!!
Last Thursday Kirby and I were in old-town of Sacramento, the 19th
century section, and went on a tour with Pam Sorooshian, Roxana, Roya
and their friend Howard. The in-character guide reminded us that
letters from California to the St. Louis used to go by boat from San
Francisco around South America and up the Mississippi.
No cellphones.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vicki Dennis
Tell him that as soon as he has internet, he might want to sign in on
Craigslist in Austin to look for any items he might have forgotten or not
taken space to bring. Lots of action this time of year (and an amazing
number of "free" items) and if he has a phone and a car...................
Also, the last weeks of August and first part of September are the very
best times for viewing the Congress Ave bats as they emerge each evening.
Millions of them!
vicki
.
Craigslist in Austin to look for any items he might have forgotten or not
taken space to bring. Lots of action this time of year (and an amazing
number of "free" items) and if he has a phone and a car...................
Also, the last weeks of August and first part of September are the very
best times for viewing the Congress Ave bats as they emerge each evening.
Millions of them!
vicki
.
On 8/22/07, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> Tomorrow the cable guy
> comes to hook them up for internet and cable TV.
> Now I need to start remembering to say "I have a 15 and 18 year old
> at home."
>
> Sandra
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
On Aug 22, 2007, at 8:48 PM, Sandra Dodd wrote:
Roya is in Alaska and has been there since the end of May. I talked
to her three times today. Once she called to see if I'd remembered to
turn in a request for a copy of her college transcripts. Later she
called because she was having a problem with Microsoft Word (she was
at a ranger station, using their computer to type up a report for her
job as an assistant back-country forest ranger). And she called
another time just to chat about her plans for coming back here and
getting a job and renting a house with her boyfriend when the summer
job is over. Sometimes a week or so has gone by without us talking,
but that's mostly because she's really out in the wilderness much of
the time, with no cell phone reception, no electricity, no running
water, etc.
It is a mostly very nice phase of life, becoming adult-to-adult
friends with our kids. The transition time is sometimes a little
awkward, though.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Last Thursday Kirby and I were in old-town of Sacramento, the 19thIt was Rosie, not Roya <G>.
> century section, and went on a tour with Pam Sorooshian, Roxana, Roya
> and their friend Howard. The in-character guide reminded us that
> letters from California to the St. Louis used to go by boat from San
> Francisco around South America and up the Mississippi.
Roya is in Alaska and has been there since the end of May. I talked
to her three times today. Once she called to see if I'd remembered to
turn in a request for a copy of her college transcripts. Later she
called because she was having a problem with Microsoft Word (she was
at a ranger station, using their computer to type up a report for her
job as an assistant back-country forest ranger). And she called
another time just to chat about her plans for coming back here and
getting a job and renting a house with her boyfriend when the summer
job is over. Sometimes a week or so has gone by without us talking,
but that's mostly because she's really out in the wilderness much of
the time, with no cell phone reception, no electricity, no running
water, etc.
It is a mostly very nice phase of life, becoming adult-to-adult
friends with our kids. The transition time is sometimes a little
awkward, though.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-
It was Rosie, not Roya <G>.-=-
DOH! I knew that. I've been trying to be careful to write "Rose"
and not "Rosie" and I hesitated and my fingers made something wrong up.
Sorry, sorry, sorry!
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It was Rosie, not Roya <G>.-=-
DOH! I knew that. I've been trying to be careful to write "Rose"
and not "Rosie" and I hesitated and my fingers made something wrong up.
Sorry, sorry, sorry!
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]