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| PA and me after Footloose. He did not choose the white tux. |
We are down to a series of LASTS. Some of the LASTS are
really lasts; some are just last before Precious Angel leaves. And leave he is
going to. June 28. We will not be able to talk on the phone, text, or
email for six weeks. No, he is not going to jail. Or rehab. Or hell. You may
remember that several months ago I mentioned that he had gotten an early
appointment and nomination to West Point. It
was quite an honor and he was really excited, but not as excited as when
Congress Aderholt called him last month to say that the Air Force Academy had accepted him. So Colorado Springs here we
come. He wants to fly planes. I don't know if he going to get to, but he is
going to get to try.
Will I be sad to see him go? Of course. On the day he was
born, I told The Guy on the way to the hospital, not to touch him until his
parents said we could. It didn't matter that we were his Godparents; it didn't
matter that they had asked us to take him as our own if anything happened to
them. New parents can be funny about their new cub. But when we walked into that
room, his mother said, "Get a gown," and she handed me that baby. And
she has handed him to me every day since. So, yes. I will be sad to see him go,
but not as sad as I would be to see him stay. Here's the thing: You clap your
hands and say, "Yes you can!" if you believe that. At the same time,
you don't say that when you know they can't. We never told
Precious Angle he was going to the NFL or Broadway, on the basis of his high
school football and musical performances. But that math and science
ability—another thing entirely.
Trite as it sounds, you work and work to give a child wings,
so how stupid is it to cry when he uses them?
Besides, I'll see him Labor Day. His parents handed him to
us once again when they said, "Of course, you're going to Parents' Weekend
with us, aren't you?" Though we would have never presumed, you bet your
sweet fanny we are.
Meanwhile we are living the LASTS.What LASTS have you had?
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| Last Homecoming Parade |
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| Last Halloween Party |
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| After the Last Football Game |
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| Last Birthday |
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| Last Musical--Footloose |
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| Last ROTC Military Ball |
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| Last Prom-He did choose this tux! |
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Oh Jean--I'm right there with you. The Teen graduates May 22nd and heads to Auburn (sorry *grin*) on August 16. All year it's been a season of "lasts." She goes on the Bob Jones stage this weekend for the last time. Sad. But then they must leave us. There's the rub. But why does it feel like just yesterday that I brought her home or took her to her first day of Kindergarten or we watched her play on the Epcot lights at Disney?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your Godson for all he's about to go forth and do. What a great beginning to his adulthood!
:-)
Great choice Christine! Glad to welcome you and your daughter into the Auburn Family. And WAR EAGLE! (Big Grin)
DeleteWar Eagle! D2 loves Auburn! (Though right about now she would tell you she's burned out because we're deep into finals. lol)
DeleteGetting ready to let my Eagle fly!! War Eagle (sorry Jean *grin again*)
DeleteIt isn't really the Last -- not yet, anyway. It's just the Last, So Far. Then there's the Next. That's what keeps me going. In one way or another, I have faith that there's always a Next.
ReplyDeleteOh, I completely agree. I haven't shed a tear--even when I found that stash of Hot Wheels and little green Army men last week. These are exciting times.
DeleteWe had 26 kids in our house a couple of weeks ago for after Prom breakfast. They all wanted coffee. I took that as a sign that we can trust the next generation.
And congratulations to you for raising an amazing strong young lady.
ReplyDeleteMilitary Academy is scary. Not everyone makes it. But from the beginning, Godson's Dad has said, "Son, you can come home if you don't like it. We'll have you in school somewhere else the next term." Generally, PA has not been allowed to quit things, but it's wise to let them know that it's sometimes acceptable.
I know what you mean. Where did the years go? There had to be a last time that I picked him up, but when was it? A last time I fed him, bathed him, and put him down for a nap. But I am not one to wallow in all that. I love the exciting things that are coming!
About that Auburn thing--we all do what we've got to. You can't live here and not pick. I think this is what it took to make you pick!
Jean, you're right. There will be, as Maven Linda says, many "nexts." I look forward to them and sharing them with the Teen as she becomes a young adult/woman. Yup, I am officially Orange & Blue because the chick picked Auburn. It'll be fun to be part of the college community as a parent.
DeleteAnd it will be REALLY fun to never have to deal with PUBLIC SCHOOL AGAIN.
]Mwah haha
I so agree, Jean, that I'll cry when my daughter moves out in August after graduating from UAH May 5 and heading to UGA for grad school. But I know she's prepared for whatever challenges come her way. Our most recent last was yesterday, and I cried then too -- the last time she competed on her beloved old horse Captain. He's now officially retired from competition but we need a good retirement home for him since she'll be leaving this summer.I agree with Maven Linda as well, that it's easier to look at it as the next thing -- like next I'll be driving to and from Athens, GA much more frequently than I ever anticipated.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I know he will never be back here to live. I don't even want him to. I want him to grab everything he wants. But The Guy and I have laid a strong foundation with him that will surpass distance.
DeleteAfter raising my son, yes I have had quite a few lasts: high school graduation; last Auburn football game where he marched as First Chair First Trumpet; his last solo on the field at the Auburn/Alabama game; last time he’ll be at Auburn; his college graduation Magna Cum Laude; his last medical school interview; his last everything when he’ll be my baby. BUT now he’s going to medical school starting this summer and I am excited for him. But with that comes another series of lasts so it starts all over again. I have to let him go and be what he is intended to be so these lasts are not so bad. Besides, I haven’t had the LAST time he’ll call and say “Mommy, I need some money…”
ReplyDeleteJust think of all the FIRSTS now -- first time at college, first college football game, first trip home to see the family, etc. I've let two fly away and have had these firsts and also first college graduation (and for one a second because he went to graduate school), first job in their chosen professions, first (and hopefully only) marriage, first grandbaby (and #2 is on the way now). Yeah, I still see some things as a last, but I try to focus on the new things coming up.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to PA on getting the AF Academy appointment. Gotta love those flyboys!
Marilyn
Totally agree. As I said, you give them wings. Don't cry when they use them.
DeleteAnd selfishly, I am not going to mind some trips to Colorado. Never been, unless you count the Denver airport and I don't.
Colorado Springs is beautiful!
DeleteYeah. PA never asks me for money. Well, except lunch money occasionally when he forgets it. (I am the most available adult in his life during the day.)
ReplyDeleteBut he's always going to want macaroni and cheese, cheese grits, and cookies. Oh, and horseradish carrots.
Jean, you've made me cry! Such a lovely post! PA is lucky to have you in his life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so blessed to have him--just as I am blessed to have your friendship.
DeleteI agree, PA is so blessed to have you and The Guy in his life! Our children's godparents have always been so far away that they haven't been able to enjoy the kind of relationship with our children as you have with PA and his parents.
ReplyDeleteLasts always come. But there will never be an end to the firsts! It's those things that I look forward to as each last comes into play. One thing I've learned is you can't look back. You must always be looking ahead to the future with hope and a dream.
Cue TopGun music...
Lasts always come. But there will never be an end to the firsts!
DeleteWe should embroider that on a pillow! I liked the women in Top Gun much better than the ones in An Officer and A Gentleman.
I guess I need to warn him. Wait. Who am I kidding? Mouth shut.
Yes, we should embroider pillows. After all, that's what a good Regency lady would do. Beats walking to show our figures off to advantage. ;)
DeleteThat was very touching, Jean!
ReplyDeleteThis pictures are great!! The last that is on my mind the most right now is the last day of school in 21 days!
ReplyDelete