Mental Preparations

As of today, it is just 28 days until Naomi checks into her dorm at Texas A&M and kicks off the next major journey in her life. It is also 28 days until I have to fully accept that this is happening.

There is a weird battle raging in my mind -- I am so so so excited and happy for her - she has been building to this moment for 18 years! But there is also a mix of gloom and angst that she will not be in our presence every day. Naomi brings so much energy and goodness and creativity (and a whole lot of words) to our family dynamic -- and that absence will be felt immediately. (We got a small glimpse of it when she started working over a year ago...)

I recognize this is yet another new parenting activity to experience, but this is different because the one we are parenting won't be around to be part of the experience. Yes, yes, we will be in regular communication with Naomi, it will just be very different around the house each day.

I think I have mostly been avoiding the inevitable, and still celebrating her recent graduations and enjoying the idea of her becoming more independent as a college student. Jeff and Naomi have been busy just dealing with the logistical tasks and long to-do list of items that are required to get ready for college. But it hit hard and became real last week when her move-in date was officially confirmed in the college system and I had to add it to my calendar. [gasp]

I'm not really sure how I will be "in the moment". Sometimes I get especially sentimental - I tend to get teary-eyed when kids achieve big accomplishments. But other times I'm kind of unemotional - probably because I just don't want to deal with it and prefer to move on to "the next thing".

Just like everything else, it will be taken one day at a time. The prayers have already started in my head and heart. We will all slowly adjust to a "new normal". We will remember and be grateful for the previous phase and all the cheer it brought, as well as look forward to the new joys that this next chapter will surely create! 

Since I love quotes, here are a few I'm keeping in front of me now!

(For the record, this is just my perspective...Jeff, Naomi and Danielle will need to share their thoughts and feelings too!)