Parents Go Home

So - I dropped my son off at college last Friday. Naturally I stayed through the weekend thinking I would take him and his Californian roommate out to dinner, help them unpack, pick up any last minute items at the grocery store. In fact I should have headed home Friday night.

Turns out pre-season = boot camp, and he was fully occupied from the moment he arrived - six hours of practice daily plus team meetings, team meals and other bonding rituals. I hung around watching the workouts, trying to make myself useful, but by the time I left Sunday afternoon the soccer coach was no longer making eye contact with me! And then in the Sunday NYT this article, about parents hanging around too long when depositing their kids at school! I was mortified at myself!

One of the marine professors sent an email notifying students they need waders and "blaze orange" clothing to wear in the woods this fall so as to not get shot by hunters. Also a right whale washed ashore in Machias last week! Does not bode well for the sea life, but does provide an amazing opportunity for the marine bio students there. Right whales can grow up to 60' long!

Anyway - he's gone. The apartment is quiet and clean. I feel happy & sad, old & young.