Again, the frog of change is upon us. Lots of changes this week as Colin moved away from home and into his new home 3 hours away at college. It was bittersweet, but I was excited for him to experience college life like I did wayyyy back in the day. Just knowing that this will be the time of his life made it easier to say goodbye.
I'm recovering this weekend, trying to get used to his empty bedroom and the absence of his friends (Taylor, Stephanie, Julie, Mario, and Amanda) around our place. I'm still doing the "mom" thing of counting heads and trying to remember who is going where and I'm coming up one short. I wonder how long it will take for me to really realize he is gone. Even Grace is confused--she keeps going in his room looking for him.
It's funny the support group I have aligned myself with--other moms who know exactly what I am feeling that give you that knowing sympathetic smile and hug. Those moms know how your heart breaks with letting go, but we do it anyway for the benefit of our children. And they give lots of advice for coping with empty rooms, the lack of reassuring phone calls, and panicky calls for more money. I consider myself lucky that I have all these women who have forged this road before me, and that they are so willing to help a sister out.
It's interesting this life as a mom. From the moment of conception, change is our way of life and we learn to adjust as we go along. I can fight change, but it will do me no good--it happens with or without my permission. Like the frog, I learn to smile and hold onto the lily pad that is my life.
21 comments:
...smile and hold onto the lily pad...
Excellent!
Life on a lily pad sounds like a good name for a blog...lol
There are times when I miss having kids around the house but it's balanced out by those times when I totally enjoy the peace and quiet
Ah, life on the lily pad. Life is good. Especially if you can catch flies with your tongue.
Kids break your heart and then they make you button poppin' proud.
I found this for you....
What sound does a frog make in YOUR language? Here is a list of some of the different ways people think frogs sound around the world!
Afrikaans: kwaak-kwaak
Arabic (Algeria): gar gar
Catalan: cru�-cru�
Chinese (Mandarin): guo guo
Dutch: kwak kwak
English (USA): ribbit
English (GB): croak
Finnish: kvak kvak
French: coa-coa
German: quaak, quaak
Hebrew: kwa kwa
Hungarian: bre-ke-ke
Italian: cra cra
Japanese: kerokero
Korean: gae-gool-gae-gool
Russian: kva-kva
Spanish (Spain): cru�-cru�
Spanish (Argentina): berp
Spanish (Peru): croac, croac
Swedish: kvack
Thai: ob ob (with high tone)
Turkish: vrak vrak
Ukrainian: kwa-kwa
Diana....what a neat thing you found! Although, the frogs in this area, that I have heard, must think they are in Germany...they definitely sound like that!
Lin: love that phrase..smile and hold onto the lily pad...! :)
That was nicely written. I usually can't comment on your posts about your children because I have none and really can't relate.
Q. What does a frog say when he's in the pond?
A. Knee-deep , Knee-deep
Lame joke, I know but I wanted to cheer you up!
Relax, Lin! Colin is only a drive away! When Malaysian kids go to Uni or College, it's always a few continents away!!
Leave the frog be for at least two weeks...wait for him to call home first. Then plan once a week mandatory calls (we picked Sunday)...then know as the time passes they call home more often on there own and it isn't just for money. But do be prepared for conversations constantley interupted by those drop by the dorm room friends. Charish the 2 minutes of actual conversation in a 10 minute call. Wait maybe that is just girls. :-/
The empty room syndrome happens every time they come home and go back to school. Promise you'll survive it each and every time!
It is hard when the kids leave the farm but if you know they are going to another good farm and you have fed them well and taught them all the right things that is all a good nanny can do.
I just saw that commercial for the geek squad, the one where the mom and son are shopping for the agent to help them fix their computer. The mom says, "Hey honey, how about this one? It says he can help you skype your mom." The kid is staring googley eyed at the case that has the hot girl geek squad member in it. Have you seen that one?
I hope all is going well with you. I can only imagine how hard the adjustment is for you all, and I bet even Emily misses him!!!
Best of luck to Colin (and to the rest of the family adjusting) as he begins this new venture in life. College was such a fun time, and there are so many memories. :) Hang in there girl!
Oh yes, you got it right when you said bitter sweet....you have done your job as a mom when they leave the nest..but is is so hard to let them go...sigh.I still have a few years but every time I think about it my heart skips a beat I think!
I hope that it gets easier with time for you :) Change can be hard!!
Vanilla--I think of Dory in "Finding Nemo"...she sings "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..." It's kinda like that--but on top of the water. :)
Ann--I like that name for a blog. I'm glad to know that I will enjoy the silence after awhile. It's still too new right now to feel that way yet.
Chuck--My guys are beyond flies, Chuck. I caught my big frog with bird legs sticking out of his mouth the other morning. I kinda feel like that on some days. ;)
Diana--Oh, I LOVE that!! I actually slept with my windows open the other night and I found out that I have a male frog out in my pond! I heard the deep croaking at 3:00 a.m.! While some would be annoyed, I was VERY excited!!
A.Marie--I'm thinking there are different sounds all over the world because they all have different types of frogs. Or just heavy accents!
Grace--I think we can all relate to holding on for dear life when change is upon us. We've all been there whether we have kids or not. :) I like that you still comment, Grace. You are a good pally.
Veronica--I hope your sons come to Chicago/Illinois for school, Veronica. Then you can come stay with me to visit them!! Oh, I liked you joke. ;)
Jodi--THANK YOU for the advice--you are very wise, pally. I talked to Joe about it and we are going to institute mandatory calls on Sunday too. Thanks for the help.
Pricilla--Isn't it funny how this applies to a lot of things in life and not just human kids??!
Nancy--I haven't seen it, but I'm watching for it--sounds funny! Yeah, we all miss him dearly. It's funny how quiet it is without him hanging out in his room. :(
Sherrie--That's what keeps me upbeat, Sherrie. I KNOW how fun it is to go away to college. :) It just happens way too fast--I'm warning you.
Melodie--What's hard is that I can't just talk to him and know he is okay. I can't make things better for him or help him in any way. It's tough as a mom to let him fend for himself and figure things out on his own. Yikes! And then they don't call to reassure us!! Ugh.
I think I saw the frog smile like Monalisa...
Since my kids have four feet and fur, I have never experienced anything you are going through personally but through your words, I can understand it. I'm glad you have support from other moms and that you are smiling and holding on to your lily pad!
"...Like the frog, I learn to smile and hold onto the lily pad that is my life." - love that
Time flies so quickly. We're only given our children for such a short time.
Best of luck Colin!!! And I'm feeling for ya mom :-)
Now what I want to see is a side-by-side picture of the frog smiling, and you smiling too! Glad you have support from friends.
Beautiful. My daughter graduated from college and moved away this year. I will try to remember the frog.
Sounds like your lily pad is floating in a pretty good pond - all that great support you are smart enough to listen to.
V7--You are soo RIGHT! He does smile like the Mona Lisa!!
Beaded Tail--I think we all have rocky waters and frogs of change--with or without children. Life is full of that stuff.
Roschelle--It is very hard to let go and let them go off, but deep inside you have to know it is best for them. I'm watching a neighbor now, making the mistake of holding on too tight. She is making her kid pay in soooo many ways. I feel so bad for that kid!
Sharky--I'll have to see if I can do a frog smile! I may even have to get my waders on for that shot!
Highway--Oh, pally, I feel your pain! I'll scoot over on my lily pad to make room for you. :)
Bumbles--Some days there is rough waters on that there pond, so we learn to hang on tight! It's good to have smart friends. :)
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