Your son leaves home, for the first time, and chooses to attend college. Hello there dolly, is that an emotional experience! Sure it’s a natural progression of life, but it’s filled with tears, waiting for calls, walking by the empty room, proud of the choice, nervous if all is going well, tears, and tears. If you have been here, you know the process.
My how fast did that time go!!!! We knew it would, like we talked about here, but really…WOW!
|Dating your spouse before the kids leave.|
Our oldest attended a community college for a year and just wasn’t in a good spot. The college itself is small and a good chunk of the students are either online or working and going to school. There were some other personal things going on (we just need to leave personal). He felt he was at a crossroads in life and decided he would go away to school. After the school was decided on, he had been looking at colleges for awhile, the packing and shopping began. Before you know it, we are taking him up to drop him off.
When we arrived on campus, the President of the college literally climbed into the back of our van to help unload his belongings. How many people can say that? Needless to say, we were impressed. We got him set up, met the roommate and his family, participated in welcome weekend activities and said our goodbyes.
The drive home was R O U G H! You know you will see your child again, but it’s your BABY!!!!
The first couple of weeks were the typical emotions of waiting to get updates………the house a little quitter……the fridge a little more full.
Thankfully, as time progressed, we fell into a new grove. One of the main reasons we did was because he was so completely happy. He had found his tribe. There was a group of 4 girls and 4 guys that did everything together. For spring break, the kids drove to visit the parents of several of the students. We hosted them twice and what an amazing group of young adults. They even brought flowers and a thank you card, signed by each one, on the return visit.
“This is what I have wanted my whole life.” he says.
He not only found a place to belong but a career field to study – Media and Cinema Communications. He loves computers, music, and photography and this is a great program that allows him to use his talents.
The year was filled with tremendous blessings and about everything you could want for your child.
As our son was getting ready for the next year to begin, he found out he would not have enough aid to attend. His heart was crushed. His classes were picked out, he and his roommate were rooming together again, and everything seemed settled…except it wasn’t. He would need to pack up and come home.
The realization that he couldn’t return was met with extreme disappointment but resolve. He would coordinate with the college and the community college here to attend any remaining lower division classes. He got a part time job, is reviewing expenses to see what can get cut, applying for scholarships, and is looking for additional ways to make money.
This week is our son’s 21st birthday and what is his 21st birthday wish?
To go back to college, be with his friends, and be on a campus he adores. How can a parent find fault in that?
If you would like to join in a birthday celebration for him, we are doing a 21 wishes campaign. $21 for his 21st birthday to help him achieve his goal of returning to school.
<<<<<$21 WISHES – BIRTHDAY CONTRIBUTION>>>>>
Thank you for reading his story, praying for his future, and/or any role you have played to help him achieve his dream!
I hope he gets to head back to the place that he was able to be himself and do what the Lord called him to do. Thanks for sharing your heart hun and have a great day. 🙂
Debra, Thank you so so much. Your support is such a blessing to me. Why do we live so far away?
thanks for sharing your heart and your son’s wish. Best of luck. It will all work out for him. hugs, Laura
Laura, Thanks so much. We know all things work together for good so we trust in whatever plan there is for him.
I know exactly how you feel Deborah. It’s so terribly scary for us Mom’s when our kids go to college. When my son left South Africa to go study Psychology in Canada I was a quivering mess for weeks. What is something happens, or he’s sad or hungry. All those mom things gave me nightmares. He’s been there for almost a year and flew back to SA for the Summer break and he’s grown so much and become his own beautiful person. I couldn’t be prouder. So I’m holding thumbs for your Isiah that he get’s his wish. I really wish I could have donated more, but our Rand/Dollar exchange rate is horrible right now. All the best Isiah, don’t let go of your dreams and I’m really looking forward to seeing you name in the movie credits of the next blockbuster.
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P.S I’m so sorry I spelt Isaiah’s name wrong
Michelle, I can’t imagine such a long distance…wow! That would be so hard. What a blessing he is doing so well!!
You are just so incredibly kind and have touched my heart so much. I can’t thank you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!