Third Time's A Charm?

I knew I would cry before we even packed the car.

What you might not know about Noah is that he is absolutely delightful. He is easy to be with. He is a good listener, when he isn't talking, and he loves to laugh. He is an optimist and quick to find humor.  The kind of person that you like to have around. The kid that you aren't so anxious to ship off to college - and that was my problem.

Only 30 minutes from college! I think he is so handsome.

While unloading the car of Noah's belongings we witnessed an especially emotional farewell of father and daughter. She was sobbing and clinging. He was patting and soothing and saving his crying for when she walked back to the dorm. Noah said, "Look!" and pointed at the dad, who was stumbling in grief to his car, "are you going to do that?"

Oh honey, that ain't nothin'.

Everything he owns on a trolley.

What it will look like if he studies.

Turns out that Noah didn't need me to stick around much. After we filled up his room, curiously inspected (without touching) his roommate's stuff, went to the store to buy push pins and a pad lock, and drove around looking for the institute building, Noah announced that I could simply drop him off in front of his dorm. I didn't need to walk him up to his room to install the pushpins, take him on a tour of the dining hall, hang around to meet his roommate, or give him more advice on how to make friends and get good grades.

I wanted to stall, to insist that I had some more important things to do with him. I considered playing the "Why do you want to get rid of your poor mother?" card, but I'm not sure how that goes - I just know how it feels. So I took a big breath and said "OK!" in that strained trying-to-sound-cheerful voice that my kids know too well.

The goodbye was short and sweet and I made him promise to call after he met his roommate and ate in the cafeteria.

Then I cried all the way to Bear Lake. I couldn't get the image of him as a 5 year old out of my mind.

I've learned, by now, that he will be fine.
........................

 Where I stopped on the drive home to contemplate and finally decide:  

WoHoo! Only one kid left!