Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Emptying Nest

I've been distracted these last two weeks helping our oldest son Alex get ready to live his own life. He graduated from high school this spring and is taking the next year off. He calls it a gap year. I call it a gasp year.
Last week he flew to Spain to backpack and work on organic farms for the next three months. He'll come home for the holidays, then he plans to volunteer in Nicaragua in the spring, where he'll teach English and help with community service projects. While we're proud of his independence and philanthropy, I do wish he'd find adventure a little closer to home. We figure that he'll only be back for short visits from now on. Sniff.
Here's Alex a few minutes before we parted ways at the airport.

3 comments:

sandi said...

You've clearly done a great job of fulfilling your primary task as a parent, which is to raise a productive, independent, contributing member of society. Remember that no matter how far he travels, he is still your baby, and you carry each other in your hearts.

Jersey Shore Deb said...

Just sent my oldest (and only daughter) off to college halfway across the country...it is hard to make that break, isn't it? Thank goodness for technology to keep us connected, but it's no substitute for a hug!

Judy said...

Our daughter left for college (only an hour from home) and RARELY - I mean RARELY - came home after that. We had and have a great relationship with her, but I think that it is a credit to you and your husband and to me and mine, that we raised our children and gave them wings to fly. We see our daughter, son-in-law, and adorable grandson more now that we saw her when she was in college.
I know you'll miss him, but aren't we lucky to have Skype, the internet and all those other wonderful means of communication.
He's a handsome guy - looks just like you! - and he's going to be doing so much good and getting so much experience over the next year. When he gets to college he'll be better prepared than most!
Best Wishes!
Judy