Miss Mary!!

[streetsoldier]

One year from now, it will be Coppertop's turn to "end the beginning"; seems just yesterday that he was sitting on a paint pony, telling me that "my horse, Apache, goes to horsie 't'urch on Sunday".

Now, he's taller than I am; faster, stronger, hard enough to roller-skate on, and ever so humble (??) about it.

[azskyman]

Well, congratulations to Nina! And mom, dad, and sister all deserve some credit too!

Geez, Mary, some of us have been here so long it seems like we can almost remember the diaper days!!

Honestly...and sincerely, all of you have done a great job in building the right foundation for Nina. She will do fine on her journey in life...and what a support system she has if, and when, she decides to use it.

Kathy and I are happy for all of you.

And remind Nina again if she ever needs a connection along the way in the journalism business....I'll do my best to help her!

I just spent the weekend with my two babies (age 28 and 32). At their age it is more about my opinion than about my advice....but they have never had to guess on my conviction or character. Steady, unwavering, and a sure bet wherever they go. Like it or not...that's who their dad is!

Being a mom will last your lifetime...and the phases yet to come are good ones too. You will come to know and appreciate those in different ways with your girls.

Take care...stay steady...and remember most of all when she goes away to college that "out of sight is out of mind" may be your only link to a good night's sleep!

PS...and Bill, Coppertop next year? Where is the time going? We'll be here for you, God willing, to help send him off on his journey too!

[Miss Mary]

Steve - I knew you'd be able to put into words how I'm feeling or a positive spin on the journey ahead. It is ironic that I was also feeling like my days of being a mom were coming to an end today and I had to almost give myself a good slap in the face - get a grip, I'll always be a mom! Silly thoughts go thru your mind - get ready Bill - but the role of motherhood I'm sure will be changing. What I do know is I will emulate my MIL, rest in peace Marge, who guided her adult children thru life, not holding on tightly. My own mother held onto my brothers and I so tightly, still does (we are 60, 58 and 50!), so much so that we hated to be smothered like that. I have vowed not to do that to my girls. My dearly departed MIL had it right - be there but don't hover. All of her children sought her out. I could never keep her on the phone longer than 5 minutes! She'd say - oh you're busy with the kids, I'll let you go now. And I'd be holding the phone, thinking I have so much I want to say! But I'm rambling here....I liked how you said your sons were still your babies. True, only a parent or grandparent can instantly see the child. I'm going thru that now. Elem school memories, dance recitals, orchestra concerts, etc. All of it got a good workout today, helped by Klennex tissues of course.

Bill - just enjoy this last year with coppertop. Someone told us last year at this time - "enjoy your child's senior year in high school. Because when it ends, nothing will ever be the same again." So we did cherish many traditions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, School activities, etc.) b/c of this caring friendl, parent of an older child. I wil pass along this important advice to you now. It will fly by, just don't miss the important things. But I know you won't.



Mary

[therock1811]

Jeremy, I think I know what you mean. That first day when you were officially finished with classes probably felt like playing hookey. I think it feels like limbo. In my case, it's a lost feeling. The Mom-tears started today, as I was half intending to right the order around here. Not really sad but not ready to close that door on Nina's childhood either. When I finished crying I finally decided why I needed that good cry - I love(d) being a mom! And staying home with my kids. That could have been a big regret - working and putting them in daycare. I decided to look at the positive things I felt - being able and priviledged to stay home, so what if our vacations were not fancy or our cars are not new anymore. I was here for my girls. So after that long cry, I felt really good about the next phase my daughter is entering. She's ready and so I will be too. I knew I'd cry but I just didn't know when it would really hit. Today it did - big time!

That was the feeling alright. I felt weird, because I felt like I was supposed to be in school, and here it was noon and I was on the streets. I knew I was done, but I still felt like I was supposed to be back at school. It was limbo...like where now? Hopefully when I graduate college it won't feel as weird.

[Pburgh]

Mary, you're bringing back all the memories of my girls when they were younger. Pass those Kleenex please. Just one quick story -------
I was a single parent for most of my daughters' "growing up years". On the trip home from taking my oldest daughter to college for the first time, my youngest daughter had to drive the car as I cried my eyes out. I mean literally sobbing!!!!! Tish turned to me and said "Mom, I'll be going to college in 2 years. Who's going to do the driving then????? We'll probably have to make arrangements to have you bused home!!!!"

Anyway, the point is you will make it thru this. Shedding those tears is so very normal cause we think "it's over". When we've taken our job so seriously, that's a really sad thought. Chin up Mary, let me tell you, it's only just begun. The biggest payback for all your hard work is coming soon. Mine was when my daughter said, "Mom, I want to raise my kids just like you raised us." Your daughters will be the same way, I'm sure.

I'm sending you ((Hugs)), a cup of Earl Grey and a new box of Kleenex.
Karan