College is getting closer

I can't believe my oldest daughter is about to leave for college.  I hope I've done all I can, all that I should have to prepare her for this next stage of her life.  She is already starting to experience new and challenging emotions related to the subject.  Prior to graduation she was so excited - telling everyone where she is going, what she will be studying, and how excited she is to be going to the college of her choice.  Since then she's had quite a few days of spending time with friends, searching for a job and enjoying the beginning of "her last summer at home" (even though she'll be coming home for summer every year).

Last night the tears flowed like an unstoppable faucet as she stared into the screen of her computer.  The computer was saying, "It's time to register for classes - here is the class catalog - you can start tomorrow (not in those words).  Ironically, it was the same day that I booked out tickets to take her to college.  I was with her at this moment, checking to see if she received her itinerary.  I thought she'd be excited, but it was then, at that very moment, that she realized … this is real.  She is going to be away from family.  Far away from family.  She was unhappy.  She was so sad to be going so far away.

All I could do was rub her back and comfort her.  This is your dream - you'll be fine.  You'll be busy with classes, making new friends, engaged in activities at school and church, but all she heard was "i'll be away from family".

I know she'll be okay - and I'm so glad she had this reality now, and not at the doorstep of college doors on orientation day.  I feel for her - she is the oldest, going away first… going far away (and she is my one that never likes to be far away from family).

I'm confident she'll be fine, better than that, she'll thrive and surprise herself and us at how well she'll adjust and do because she always does.  She likes to succeed.  More importantly I know she has faith and trust her Heavenly Father, and I do too!  I know He'll watch over her and keep her on her path.

And, yes, it's not for a few more months!  I'm going to take advantage of every minute I can (starting with a "girls only night" tonight) with her, preparing her, strengthening her confidence and trust in herself and in the future and in God's plan.

sweet dreams!