The letter from Housing
4.14.09
We just received a letter from the Housing office giving us details about moving Sean out of Chadbourne. Due to the limited parking in the southeast area of campus — caused by the construction that’s under way and the Commencement exercises that will be going on during the normal, post-finals move-out weekend — the Housing folks suggested (strongly) that we move out as much stuff as possible the weekend before finals. They’ll even have staff there to direct traffic and facilitate the process, so you know they’re serious.
I mentioned this to the woman whom I’ve called Mom Mentor throughout this blog. Her son is now a college grad and is out in the world, earning his way. I commented that this letter from Housing signaled the end — that I (and all of you) have nearly made it through our year as first-year parents.
What she wrote back is something I really appreciate, so I’m sharing it here:
“The first year of college is almost over — and you’ve survived. I know that’s hard to believe. I just took a moment to read for a second time some of your blog entries, and I was struck by how normal your experiences have been. As I read them, I remembered what it was like, and I felt the same emotions once again. We miss [our kids], we can’t imagine life without them, we can’t fathom that they will survive... but then we all are okay, really and truly. When I think back to these times, I feel both a sense of accomplishment and a little embarrassed that I was such a wreck. But then I remind myself that it’s all so normal — and that you can’t know that until you experience it and look back, no matter what people tell you. It’s still your own journey.”
I wrote back to her that I’m embarrassed, too, for the times when I’ve been a wreck — and have shared it with you! — but I figure that’s what a blog is about. And, I hope that in sharing my vulnerabilities and imperfections, you will know that your own similar moments were not felt in isolation.
I mentioned this to the woman whom I’ve called Mom Mentor throughout this blog. Her son is now a college grad and is out in the world, earning his way. I commented that this letter from Housing signaled the end — that I (and all of you) have nearly made it through our year as first-year parents.
What she wrote back is something I really appreciate, so I’m sharing it here:
“The first year of college is almost over — and you’ve survived. I know that’s hard to believe. I just took a moment to read for a second time some of your blog entries, and I was struck by how normal your experiences have been. As I read them, I remembered what it was like, and I felt the same emotions once again. We miss [our kids], we can’t imagine life without them, we can’t fathom that they will survive... but then we all are okay, really and truly. When I think back to these times, I feel both a sense of accomplishment and a little embarrassed that I was such a wreck. But then I remind myself that it’s all so normal — and that you can’t know that until you experience it and look back, no matter what people tell you. It’s still your own journey.”
I wrote back to her that I’m embarrassed, too, for the times when I’ve been a wreck — and have shared it with you! — but I figure that’s what a blog is about. And, I hope that in sharing my vulnerabilities and imperfections, you will know that your own similar moments were not felt in isolation.
