And just like that – he’s off. Well maybe not just like that. Let me back up a bit….
It’s been a whirlwind of activity at my house this past week or two.
Family photo shoot first. My sister-in-law gave us a wonderful Christmas present of a family photo shoot with a wonderful local photographer, which we finally used to take what I hope turn out to be a marker of a magic moment in our lives just before my first little bird fledges. Of course, I wanted to make sure we looked cohesive as a family, so some frantic colour-coordination shopping needed to happen.
My youngest graduated from grade 8 with all the requisite pomp and ceremony, went on her big class trip to Ottawa and is now excitedly preparing for a tour to Latvia (and Estonia and Finland!) with her choir to compete in the World Choir Games. More shopping, as specific wardrobe was required for the girls to look as unified as possible throughout the tour.
My middle one has finished final exams and is planning end-of-year parties. With a new (the first!) girlfriend on the scene, it’s sure to be an exciting summer for him. At least there was no shopping here required here.
And then there’s my eldest. Compressing four exams into two days – and all the stress that comes along with it – is what he chose to do so he wouldn’t be late up to “pre-camp”. That’s the week where summer camp staff bond, build programming and get everything ready for the onslaught of young overnight campers set to begin arriving June 30 to enjoy their week or two away from home.
That wouldn’t have been so bad, except that camp is about close to three hours away and required Mum to get him there. And back again for graduation in less than a week. And back up to camp again the next day!
Add onto that the sudden realization that he’ll only be home for three days (max!) between end of camp and university move-in, and suddenly everything got sped up exponentially. While most Mums and sons will be doing all the get-ready-to-to-to-university preparation and shopping in late August, we had to get it done NOW!
It feels a bit like I’ve been hemorrhaging money!
Graduation came and went remarkably quickly, given the 230+ graduates who needed certificates, scholarships and recognition. I watched my eldest receive his Graduation certificate, along with notations of Ontario Scholar status, French Immersion Certificate and Business Certificate with bittersweet memories of the young boy he used to be and the young man he’s become.
But as I watched him drive away back to camp this morning with his grandparents, who had come for graduation – my heart bursting with pride – the night before, I was struck with how the fledging process is really truly beginning. He’s off to rejoin his young colleagues, full of enthusiasm about the summer ahead and looking forward to university beginning in the fall and I’m excited for him. I’ve done the best job I could, raising him with values that I hope will hold him in good stead. But starting now, it’s really more and more up to him to take leaps of faith, to weigh risks and rewards and to become the young man he’s meant to be.
And so, yes, just like that – he’s off….
