Cleaning

So my house is clean again. When I need to deal with something, I clean up the piles of junk and get organized. (And that's especially necessary after Patrick has been home!!) I've talked to him very briefly twice, and Anna has called or texted at least 5 times. And I have a music mix that I play when I miss him. I'll be fine. I miss the access I had to my boy before, but I will be fine! However, Patrick, if you're reading this, update your blog and put in photos!

Waiting

Patrick has told me a number of times that for the last 5 years, or so, he's felt like he was waiting for his life to begin. For school to be complete, for the applications to be processed, for the travel date to arrive. On the road from Houston, he told me that for the first time ever he felt like that uncomfortable limbo-land of waiting was over, and he was ready to go.

Now - just since he walked out the door on the way to the airport with his 94 pounds of luggage - the waiting starts for me. There's no more I can do for him. I wait for phone calls, emails, blogs, and letters. I have a busy full life, so it's not all waiting, but in my relationship with my son, my job is now waiting, not doing. I'll have to get better at it. God speed, Patrick. I'll be here - busy, but waiting.

Patrick's adventure begins

I don't usually cry at leave-taking times, but I did this morning. It will be a long time before I can give my boy a hug again, and even though he's off to a wonderful adventure, I'm unbelievably sad. His bags are too full, he had to leave behind things he really wanted with him, his room (and the rest of the house) is a mess, and I've had too much food and too little sleep for days.

So today I'll clean and put away the mess, and miss him. Already. I'll remember that it's never been my job to clip his wings, and I'll be proud of myself for sending him off. And I'll sing "God be with you 'til we meet again" all day. I'll probably sing it for a long time. I love you to pieces, Patrick. Do good work.

Houston here I come!

I leave tomorrow morning for Houston. I'll help Patrick get his car packed (hopefully with room for both of us left over!) and on Sunday we leave. It's a LONG drive to Seattle, but it will give us the time to talk and to plan the next week's craziness. I always like seeing where my kids land, and neither of them are very good at sending photos, so visits are good. I'll have the day to myself on Saturday, so Patrick and Haley can spend that last day together. Patrick and I will have breakfast together, but after that it will feel good to run and read and maybe shop a little. The main thing I haven't figured out is if he's going to want to stop in time to see the Super Bowl..... We won't get out of Texas if he does!!!