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Monday 13 September 2010

The Baby Bird Flees the Nest...


Little by little, I have been gathering bits and pieces together in preparation for my son leaving to go to College later this month...

I have been super-super-organised and have already filled a big, lidded cardboard box with booty: Crockery and cutlery, toiletries and stationery requisites and earlier this year, I bought the aforementioned vintage trunk, currently residing in the garage...

I am washing and drying laundry ready for the filling of a wardrobe, or three, and we still need to get him a couple of items so that he can take this new step in his life. We were supposed to do this on Friday, when I took a day's leave from work to spend time with my son, whom I've seen very little of lately, as it happens.

He felt ill after a stay-over at his girlfriend's new student house, and was tired after a night of coughing, unfortunately, (I think he's caught a bug from my husband), so we're planning to do things over the weekend instead.

And on Friday night, I found myself enjoying the veritable tippy-tappy, and talking to my friend over Facebook, which is very handy for that, if for very little else!

Talking.

And crying. Mainly crying, as things worked out...

I'm not sure where that came from, because I'm all right about Grizz leaving, I am. We've seen him so rarely recently that it's almost like he's already moved out, except I keep finding dirty dishes and half-filled glasses on, around and under the sofa, and rogue, smelly socks roam the floors of my house like pilgrims in search of the Holy Grail!

But I'm obviously moping a tad, in spite of my sanguine, ordered and organised, exterior. And a few words from a dear friend who's plotting her daughter's departure to College in Leeds, to read journalism, were enough to turn the taps on late last night...

Grizz is off to read Geography. Did I tell you already that I'm very proud of him? He's only off to Newcastle, so not very far. Still in slapping distance, actually! (I jest, I jest!)

I expect I shall be meeting him from time to time for lunch while I'm still working in the city. I shall be dispensing sound advice and ten pound notes, I should imagine.

This is the role of a mother, is it not?

To love them and to let them go.

To cry tears that are a mixture of joy and regret...

For what has been, and for what shall probably never be the same again.

Bon Voyage, my treasure!

8 comments:

libby said...

Taking my daughter this weekend and am finding that I keep wanting to cry for no reason this week.....empty nest syndrome maybe...

Saz said...

we MUST get together soon....and we can drown our sorrows...

perhaps l can some over with son...drop him off...visit with you ikea/costco and stay at travel lodge in gateshead..

have holidays last week in sept and in oct..

think on...
breathe....no BREATHE!!!

saz x

Between Me and You said...

It was 10 years this weekend since I took my eldest boy to Uni. I distinctly remember standing in my bedroom ironing the last of his stuff and listening to him in his bedroom playing `Blackbird` on his guitar. That`s the point when I felt heartbroken. It lasted until the Xmas break when he finished up early December but by mid-February I was wondering if he would EVER go back to Uni!
You`ll survive!

Sueann said...

It is a poignant moment when they are ready to fledge the nest!! It is a moment of profound pride and deep sorrow. This moment will pass and then there will be other moments and they will pass too. Time flies and they grow and we stand by and watch with our arms at the ready to catch them if they fall!! Sigh!
Hugs
SueAnn

French Fancy... said...

Thank goodness I never had kids - I couldn't cope with all this anguish I reckon. You can do it though, Fhi - I've got every confidence that you will revel in this new child-free household - eventually.

gpc said...

My sister cried for a year after her oldest moved 45 minutes away. I was brave on the outside when my oldest moved on but honestly, 25 years later, have still not really gotten over it. Such a mix of pride and sorrow. It is definitely a new phase of life!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Gail, would you please PM me your address as I still need to send you the Mousemat from OWOH competition time and a card from the British Museum, that I trip over each night on my way to bed...

So sorry for being sooooo disorganised! x

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Libby - Save this piece, time flies over, my pet, you won't believe it, and suddenly they're towering over you, demanding money and hugs! x

Sara, I am so on for meeting up with you, my darling - I am wrestling with the 'flu at the mo' - Dire... Love you, hope all went well on Thursday? xxx

Nana - Nooooooooooooo! How utterly heart-wrenching... x

SueAnn - Your words are endlessly beautiful and deep, as is your art x

FF - Merci mille, ma belle x

Something I wrote earlier...

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