Dropped S17 off at college. Left Wednesday and came back Friday. Took his car and W's as there was a lot of stuff. Actually, he overpacked, filling eight large packing bags, so he had to sort out non-essentials, and we ended up bringing home one and a half bags, mostly of clothing.
I rode with both sons in S17's car, and he drove all the way there (4 1/2 hours). W drove by herself in her car, and on the way home we switched, with S13 riding with her and me driving S17's car alone. It was a good ride getting there, although I had to periodically remind him about watchful state police and speed limits. (He hit 90 MPH in 65 MPH zones a few times).
Leaving him was bittersweet, of course. He thanked us for everything we have done for him. He hugged me and said, "Dad, I will make you proud of me." I told him I was certain he would. I told him I would not contact him every day, but that I would every so often and asked him to please answer (probably a few times a week).
W said to him, "I have to hear from you every day." This is the way she is. She was raised that you have to speak to your parents every single day. Why don't I insist on hearing from him every day? Because he wanted to spread his wings, and the time is here to let go somewhat. He has to have some freedom, and that includes the freedom to make mistakes and figure out how to fix them, the freedom to rely on himself.
I make no apologies for this. I was brought up this way. I was much closer to my mother than my father, but even she didn't need to know where I was at every moment, even when I was a minor roaming the neighborhood. I handled myself fine, and I know my son can do the same.
The drive home was therapeutic for me. By myself, in the car, went through some beautiful country (even though it was cloudy and periodically raining). I see solo road trips in my future.
W and I got along fine on the trip. Now at home, we plan for when we will see son next (in about a month, at parent's weekend at the college). And once again we are back to dealing with financial statements and D plans. W said she dropped it for a while to "give the boys a somewhat normal summer."
Meanwhile, my mind is full of future plans. I worry less about what she thinks every day. I'm keeping the shorter hair I graduated to over the summer; I like it. I have plenty to keep me busy. I have lost about 10 pounds and feel pretty good.
