Roots and Wings
I’ve been feeling on the edge for the past couple of days, knowing that today #1 daughter would return to New York City, where she is a college student. I’d shopped for groceries so she wouldn’t have to deal with that upon her return to the City, and helped her with some of the other things she needed to do.
She’d been gathering her things and packing them up for the past few days; I knew this. And when I went upstairs last night to chat with her, I was struck by the beauty of this whole process. It is fitting that she was leaving Labor Day weekend. This is a labor of another kind—not so dissimilar from that which brought her into this world.
When she and my husband took the last of her things out to the car, I told her not to forget her towel, and gave her a small square. I asked if this was where we hug and cry. It was.
And then they drove off, just like that.
And tonight, #2 daughter and I are eating convenience foods and chocolate ice cream as we watch cheesy movies together. Roots and wings.
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Lisa Kenney said,
August 30, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
This is so poignant. xo
Kim Ayres said,
August 31, 2008 @ 3:56 am
As a fan of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, I know she’ll be safe so long as she has her towel
Laura said,
August 31, 2008 @ 9:31 am
Love this.
We’ll be leaving Meredith behind when we move 1,000 miles away. I wake up at night thinking of things I “need” to remind her to do — like clean the lint out of the dryer screen, check the locks at night. Truth is, though, I can feel her excitement and expectation and I have mine as well. Something new on the horizon. Debra — do you think that babying your hen has anything to do with this emptying nest? I gotta get a needy chicken, I think …
Kim Ayres said,
August 31, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
Here’s the recipe for Bramble Crumble. Enjoy
Linda / Lyndi said,
August 31, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
Lovely post, Debra, so heartfelt. It’s hard to cut those apron strings, but so necessary.
Linda
OldOldLady Of The Hills said,
August 31, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
Lovely lovely post. I never had children, but I can certainly empathize with this day in your life! One daughter on her own now–well, pretty much….lol, and the #2 daughter still at home. And the wheel of life keeps turning….!
Thanks so much for your visit and your wonderful words! I LOVE that the font you use is so wonderfully readable! I thank you for that, and so do my old eyes! (lol)
Cathy said,
August 31, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Ah, lovely post. I’m so with you. We’re just back from helping 26 year old son move into new apartment. He’s very, very independent but doesn’t mind if the mom and dad come to see the new place and help him set up. We’re well into empty nest and very happy being so yet when I’m in his space some of the old maternal instinct kicks back in. Have to stop myself from telling him to wash the dishes or take out the trash. Now he’s moved in and back to his life…and we’re back to ours. All good but nice to see he’s found a good space with a good friend. Anyway rather sweet that this mother thing kicks in with adult children in odd moments even though mostly don’t think about it. A good thing that the love is there and nice to see how these young people are taking flight and how we can all enjoy a tender moment of regression. Enjoy that ice cream!
Barbara Martin said,
August 31, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
Birds leaving the nest everywhere as it’s back to school time. Thanks for the trip of past memories.
sam said,
September 1, 2008 @ 4:41 am
They leave, and they come back. My son was two and a half years in the states, and just came back to France to continue his college education. I am thrilled he’s back home (though it’s just until school starts, but at lease he’ll be nearby!)
And then he’ll leave again. He loves to travel, so I guess he’ll spread his wings and fly off somewhere else. I am so sad when they leave, but proud too.
Wanting to laugh and cry at the same time – that’s being a mom, I guess.
Britta Coleman said,
September 1, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
A bittersweet post. Love the Labor Day analogy.
Hope the movies and chocolate were a good time.
Mary Witzl said,
September 4, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Oh Debra, I know how this feels! I’ve just been helping our eldest pack up her ‘uni’ box, for when she comes back in a year or so to start university. We’ll store it here in Scotland and she can take it off to university with her. It feels so strange offering her can openers and dish towels. She’s so excited and ready for this, and that is as it should be, but heartbreaking, all the same.
Now, like Laura, I’m going to be thinking of all the things I need to remind her to do. I don’t think I remembered telling her about the drier filter.