first day of school and one to college

Number two and three child are back in school. The first child is a freshman at colorado mines. I moved her to CO about 2 weeks ago. She started practice for volleyball season right away, which is good, no time to be homesick.

Many people ask me if I am sad about her leaving home. I dont know if they are just evil cranks trying to elicit an emotional response, cause me pain or something. Lets poke at her and see if she starts to cry!

I do miss her and I am sometimes sad for moments. But the sadness takes an odd form - of grieving for the loss of a small child, which feels so misplaced that I have to feel the emotion is wrong, broken. Time goes by, people grow up and live their lives, it's natural, it's what you want to happen. Most of the time I am so happy and I feel so great about her leaving for college because she is so successful, living a life filled with fun, adventure and high achievements, that many only dream of. And she is going to a great school and she works hard and she is well-prepared so she has every chance to support herself when she graduates and gets a great job someplace. Its what you want for your kids.