Quite a Week

It is Sunday afternoon – a week ago, I wrote this:

We have less than a week left before our youngest heads off to college.  Nick has six more nights at home before he moves into his dorm room at UNC-Wilmington.  Six.  That’s it.

I decided at the beginning of his Senior year to cherish every moment, to celebrate every milestone and to to have as much fun as each day would allow.  I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of it.

This is not our family’s first go at this (thanks, Elizabeth, for blazing yet another trail for your brother #allthetrails), and because we’ve been “here” and “there” before, it doesn’t feel so scary.  I don’t feel the need to mourn each day that passes, because I know there is so much to look forward to (for him, and for us) on the other side of the college drop-off mark on our timeline.

At this point, with Six Whole Days left, I am feeling happy and so excited for him that I can’t bring myself to feel sad about it.

Of course, that could be because all my babies are in the nest tonight.  Elizabeth is home from her summer job (she heads back to UNC-Greensboro on Thursday) and we have our Nephew and Elizabeth’s boyfriend visiting, too.

…but I didn’t post it, because I was half-expecting that the bottom would fall out and I’d have to publish a retraction.  I considered the option of reporting my day-by-day emotions through the week, but couldn’t bring myself to spend any of the moments that way.

Our family had a great week – we shared meals together, watched silly movies, spent time with friends,  and laughed about this video (thanks, Deej!).  Monday, our nephew headed home after a great summer visit. Thursday, we moved Elizabeth into her apartment for her senior year (another post entirely), and the nest started emptying out.

Yesterday was move-in day for Nick, and it was a great day.  Really.  I gave myself permission to let tears fall when I couldn’t avoid them, but I worked hard to take every thought captive.  When highly emotional, “dwelling on things and reminiscing” thoughts came to mind, I pushed them back out.  There will be plenty of time in the weeks ahead to feel all of the feelings, but when there is the option, I will choose to feel glad.

…have I mentioned how many times I read Polyanna?

Here’s to more cherishing of moments, celebrating of milestones and enjoying of days.