One week from today my youngest child will "leave the nest". Ashton will be entering her freshman year of college, studying to become an RN. It is such a bittersweet time for me. I find myself crying at times over memories of the little girl who loved shopping for back to school supplies, the little girl who used to read to me at night as she was learning how, and the little girl who has grown up into a wonderful, mature young lady. At 17 years old she seems much more mature than I ever was at that age, having completed and passed a strenuous nurses aide course at 16, studying hard after school instead of participating in winter cheering, a sport that she loved, or hanging out with friends. She got the highest grade on the State test! A 16 year old who was mature enough to sit with a dying patient on her very first clinical, who loves her patients and volunteers to work holidays so the other CNAs can be with their families. We have had our "ups and downs" especially these past few teenage years but I can honestly say I have never had to worry about where Ashton was or who she was with. We have our best talks when shopping or in the car. She is brutally honest, something she inherited from her mom! She has spent hours getting her college life all in place, and I don't doubt for a moment that the school will know when Ashton has "arrived"! So next Saturday after moving her into her dorm I will have to come home knowing that my little girl has truly grown up. As I said, its bittersweet but oh so wonderful too. I can only wish her life is packed full of all she can experience, that she continues to be headstrong and willfull and if she "falls" she can only go but up. I love you Tunny-Bunny with all my heart. And your stepdad will miss you as much as I will. He has seen you grow from a 8 year old little girl to who you are today. And who will discuss medical stuff with him now??
O.K. who the heck invented pink power strips and pink remote controls?
And pink zebra print brooms?!
And the big question is will Mom finish the afghan in time to take to college next week??
9 comments:
Oh Cheryl, That made me cry... I just filled up with all kinds of emotion thinking of my sons and when they left for college.
I'm so glad that Cheryl knows what she wants to do.. So many people go to college not having a clue. She'll do well---and you will just continue being so proud of her.
Communication is the key to dealing with teens. My son and daughter-in-law have such good relationships with their girls and I'm so proud of the way they are raising them.
I love Cheryl's PINKS... I've never seen so much pink in my entire life. She'll probably hate pink after her first year!!!! ha
Hang in there, Mama. Life goes on--and you'll get through it.
Lots of love and prayers for you and Cheryl,
Betsy
it's certainly a bittersweet time for you. we want to see a photo of the dorm room all decorated...
To think that I went off to college with a few clothes, a few toiletries, some pens and pencils, a portable typewriter, and a dictionary. How times have changed!
I know this is a sad and exciting time for you, Cheryl. You're in my thoughts each day, many times each day, as Saturday draws near.
Ashton sounds more than ready to leave the nest. You've prepared her well. Take a bow. (And knit like crazy to get that beautiful afghan finished! If you've got the pattern memorized, then you'll certainly be able to knit and cry simultaneously.)
P.S. ...and to give credit where it's due, it was your very own mother who helped me cart my small load of items up to my dorm room.
Betsy: You would think Ashton would be sick of pink since I had dressed her in it from the day she was born! However it appears to be her "color"! You should see the color of her bedroom walls...Thanks for stopping by with your nice comment. I am sure I will survive this!
Lin: Oh you will see photos of her dorm room I am sure! I cannot imagine how it will look...
Aunt Jean: Thanks for your sweet comments. Do you think kids today even know what a typewriter is?? Ashton is required to have a dictionery, something I find strange as one would think that would be obsolete now! Your first year "stuff" probably would fit in the crate that Ashton has! I didn't know Mom helped you move into the dorm! Mom has always been there for everyone! I am furiously knitting up the last panel, Mom will help me sew it all together.
You are so proud of your daughter. How wonderful!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Lucy
This post brings back all kinds of memories of my daughter going off to college the first time. But back then they didn't have as many pink items as your daughter found. Kelly had to settle with beige power strips!
Oh wow! Ashton is certainly prepared in high pink style. I know you'll miss her but don't forget, there's Skype. :-) She's going to have such a good time. She'll have the prettiest dorm room, that's for sure.
She certainly has a lot of nice stuff to take to school with her. Good luck on finishing the afghan! That was a very touching story! It is a sad time, but also, be proud of the wonderful daughter you have raised.
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