July 7, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff
So yesterday was the day. The day I had to take Oldest to the airport, put her on a plane to Los Angeles by herself so that she could make her way to UCLA for the three day orientation for her fall admittance.
Sniff, sniff.
She packed the night before and was already gone in her head when we drove her to the airport. Alpha Man asked me if I was going to cry. Luckily, Oldest had been a pill most of the week and I told myself I couldn’t wait for her to go. So no, I wasn’t going to cry. He looked quite relieved and kept driving.
And then we dropped her off at the airport. Watched her walk through security without even looking back and I sort of stood there feeling like a sad sack. Alpha Man bought me an ice-cream, which helped greatly, and then on the way home from the airport, I got this:
The text with it said: Tiny ass plane, I’m going to die . . .
A few minutes later I got this one:
The text said: On the plus side, the emergency exit row doesn’t have anyone but me and there’s plenty of leg room. The bad side — I’m in charge if we go down.
Then after she’d landed I got this:
And a text: The stewardess told me “welcome home” when I got off the plane. LAX is HUGE. Gas is $4.69.
I texted back: LA is NOT your home and don’t you forget it. Gas prices suck. And were you able to find your luggage?
Her text: Yes, mother, I was able to manage to find my luggage.
Sigh. I am having some trouble letting go. I’m going to need a lot more ice cream.
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Kate Hardy says:
Hugs, Jill. You definitely need more ice cream.
If it makes you feel any better re the gas - in the UK right now it’s one pound nineteen pence per litre, which works out at almost eleven dollars a gallon.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 2:13 amJudy F says:
First off YIKES Kate on those gas Prices.
Oh Jill you need lots of TLC and Cookies, Ice Cream and anything else you need. Tell Alpha man its his job to see to your every food need.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 2:56 amDiane W says:
Jill-
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 4:34 amWhenever I get overwhelmed in such a situation, I remember that my mother (my idol)made it through with her sanity intact. The year I graduated high school, I moved to the other side of the state and went to college, my sister got married and moved three states away, and the family dog died. Since I was away at college, I am not sure if she cried or celebrated her new found freedom and dog hair free house, but she always had a smile when she and dad visited at school. You can do this!!!
Pat L. says:
I wonder where your daughter gets her humor from.
Did Alpha Man cry?
I remember when my son went away to college - we were all devastated and each subsuqent visit home, we cried a little less each time when he went back, til we didnt cry at all anymore. You will get used to it. How far away is your daughter again?
Luckily my daughter went to school 10 mins away; I was so thankful a college was right near us.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 4:49 amMental P Mama says:
I have an empathy-stomach ache for you. sigh.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 5:44 amPatty L. says:
You have to set a good example for us Jill. I need to have a strong figure to look up to when my daughter leaves for college in five years. I know it’s a long time out, but I am a planner (just kidding).
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 5:51 amAnna Adams says:
I hate this phase of life. We visited my son, who lives in another state–I wouldn’t let myself think about the fact that we were going to have to leave.
My daughter left for college (at the time 800 miles away) three years ago. I felt as if I’d lost a limb–and she’d provided the pleasing I’m-a-pill behavior all that summer. When I protested her snarkiness, she told me she was entitled, because she was going 800 miles away and she was a little wary about it. We dropped her off, literally following Hurricane Katrina in its northern fringes from LA to GA. And two days later, I cried my way back.
Now, we live a lot closer to her. It doesn’t make sending her back to school easier each year. You get used to having the little sweeties around again.
And, by the way, every time I think of my boy and his wife–also most beloved to us–getting smaller on the sidewalk, I tear up again.
Not very helpful, and I’m sorry for that.
Anna, disgruntled mom who just hates to say “Bye.”
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:07 amDee says:
I feel you, girlfriend. I dropped off my daughter at summer school and she did NOT want mama coming in with her. I just said a prayer and got a pumpkin muffin from Panera bread. They grow up SO fast!!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:10 amHugs -
Dee
Sonya says:
Sending some hugs your way, lady. It’ll get easier. And I bet ice cream and cookies will help a lot!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:13 amLaurie says:
I feel your pain, Jill - sending you lots of hugs
- from one mother to another.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:24 amLiza says:
Hugs Jill. Ice cream and cookies will help ease the pain. Send Alpha Man to the store right now.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:34 amAndi says:
I have a lump in my throat and she isnt’ even my daughter! Interesting how all of us mom’s do that. You are my hero for not crying.
I will be a basket case when my kids leave, but also ready for that next step I suppose. Who knows..only time will tell.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:35 amCindy says:
My oldest is 12 and while she’s not at the point your’s is at, I still dread it. The years just fly by way too fast.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 6:44 amAsthmagirl says:
My daughter texted me from San Diego all weekend. Those apron strings really stretch… all the way from Seattle to San Diego! Of course, I had ice cream for the last two nights to get through it! Maybe if you had some cookies too?
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:01 amJess in MA says:
Oh, definitely ice cream is called for here. You have all that you want and then go annoy middle and youngest with pesky mom attention.
The good news is, it’s only a little trip (this time) and you are much more connected by technology than even a few years ago. When I went to college many states away from home my mother got a phone call a week and an occasional letter. Like an actual letter written in ink on paper!
You are a brave mom- go you! Betcha Alpha Man cries in the Fall… You can split a hot fudge sundae.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:06 amSuzanne says:
Awww, at least she texted! With photos!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:19 amapril says:
There is no way my mom would have put me on a plane by myself. As it was, my parents both came with me for college traveling like 5 hours by car. I think I still have bruises on my legs where my mom grabbed a hold and wouldn’t let go until she was forcibly removed somewhere around sophomore year. This continued throughout my life. She wouldn’t let my dad walk me down the aisle alone and joined him. I swear she still tries to hold my hand when I cross the street.
How exciting on the kid end though! I loved college. I got along so well with my roommate(s). I’m actually meeting up with some friends I haven’t seen from college next weekend and, sadly, I left college over 10 years ago. It’ll be nice to see them again.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:23 amAllie says:
Awww. How sweet of her to send you lots of text messages.
And how nice of Alpha Man to get you an ice cream. 
I’m sure Oldest will do fine. 
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 8:25 amKaren Erickson says:
My sympathies. I’m sure that’s so hard. But yes I’m sure Oldest will do just fine in the big city.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 8:49 amDonna M says:
Okay, maybe it is just me!! Aren’t we suppose to raise our children to be able to go off to college and function on their own. Do you really want them at home forever?
I’m laughing at myself. My oldest went to college about 40 miles down the road! Between her sophomore & junior year she moved out of the house & in with her boyfriend (they have now been married almost 20 yrs., next month is the big anniversary). When she moved out it was just the next step in her life. I was so proud that she was smart, going to college and knew what she wanted in life. By the way, she is back in college now for a second degree, still married (almost 20 yrs. see above! 
) has two kids 12 & 9 and doing well. Youngest daughter did not go to college, had a baby at barely 20 & went into nursing as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). She is doing well lives about 16 miles from me, her son is now 19! Where did the time go? I felt no pain as they left home only the progression in life & the fact that I must have done something right! 
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 10:01 amCelebrate your daughter’s accomplishments, be proud at her readiness to experience life. Now I want ice cream but it is still morning so I will settle for coffee!!
Susan says:
You and Alpha Man have raised a lovely young woman!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 12:15 pmBrandy says:
Do you think she was a pill because she knew you’d get weepy about her going?
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pmHugs and enjoy that ice cream.
Lisa in California says:
We’ll take care of her here in L.A. Regarding those gas prices, isn’t it sad that I thought $4.69 was good. Last week (here in Los Angeles) it was $4.85 so it’s actually come down a bit.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pmjeanne says:
I totally feel your pain. My youngest is going away to college August 1st and staying off campus so a yearly lease so no summer vacations home and she’ll be needing to get a job. She’s about 3 hours away but I’m not a driver and she’s moving north to snow country. My oldest has been gone for 5 years (the last year 5 hrs. away) and recently moved back home for just a couple of months - she gets married at the end of this month. So basically I’m losing them both at the same time! I can deal with them being out of the house but I surely want them to be within my driving distance
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 1:37 pmlimecello says:
Awe… cute. And interesting. My parents came to orientation with me [actually, that's how it was] - but they left me for meals, so I had to glom onto another family. I think my parents had an easier time letting go
Oh orientation. Then I got a concussion… and I think they showed up.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pmCryna says:
Cool that she texted you pictures. It must have been really hard to see her go through security. It was so good you never cried. Ice Cream helped. Cyber hugs.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pmJoyce says:
That is definitely a tough one. I have seen both sides of that situation and neither is easy.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 4:36 pmJemima says:
Oldest has a good sense of humor…and sarcasm. I can just FEEL her rolling her eyes on that last one.
We were just up in your neck of the woods this weekend, recovering from the parental visit. The stars were incredible, and we woke up to the sound of a pack of coyotes howling across the lake. It was sheer heaven!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pmSarah says:
Aw, my heart hurts for you… not looking forward to those days. But it sounds like you’ve prepared her well for the great big world.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pmkim h says:
oh so sad. hope u enjoyed the trip
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pmKarin says:
The texts from Oldest show her sense of humor. It reminds me a bit of you.
When my mom takes me to the airport for my many trips (my 4-year-old niece used to tell me I lived at the airport), she always hangs out with me until I get close to the front of the security line and then she and my niece (and sometimes my nephew) wait at the overlook at the top of the stairs until I’m out of sight. I love that they’re the last things I see before I get on the little train that will take me to my concourse.
Posted on July 8th, 2008 at 12:15 amAmy says:
Oldest is funny! I think she might have been messin’ with you a little bit.
Ice cream can solve a multitude of problems. Alpha Man is smart to know this.
Posted on July 8th, 2008 at 7:29 am