This morning I saw my youngest off on an adventure -- mountain climbing in the eastern Sierra for ten days. When I hugged her good-bye I had no words to offer, just embarrassing tears in my eyes. I hope no one else noticed. Of course she did. She is off as part of a group of eight girls her age with three counselors on a rigorous hike in one of the truly stunning places on this planet.
As is the ritual on these occasions, I sent a letter and a wish along with her, which she will read once she out there in nature.
There are other transitions afoot. Her brothers are about to leave home and go off to college, both of them at the University of Montana. I'm no more prepared for that than I am for her to grow up. My 19-year-old told me tonight he is "nervous."
I just watched him walk off to the gym near here where he works out.
His "little" brother is having a party at his Mom's house tonight, but he too is about to head off to Missoula.
Empty nest? Yes.
Do I have any clue how I will cope with all of this?
No. But I know that is my job now. Off they go, taking whatever I have been able to impart, good or bad. They are flying away.
Meanwhile my landlady has raised my rent by $3,000/year in the past twelve months. I wonder how long I will be able to be able to afford to be here for them when they come back?
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