Friday, August 20, 2010

Heart and Home: Bye-Bye Baby




Who is this little girl with the big blue eyes and the golden curls?

Can it have been longer than just yesterday when
 she was climbing into my lap and begging me to teach her how to read?
 It doesn't feel that way to me.

How can the days and months and years have passed so quickly that 
all of a sudden, just like that,  it was time to hold her tight and whisper good-by,
acting strong and calm and in control while fighting back tears so as not to worry her?

Instead, I cried buckets of them on the drive home.



What will it be like around here without her smile and her sweet attitude, and her helpful, kind, gentle spirit?

Who will update me on all the latest movies and books,  and keep us all entertained with her stories and observances and insights?

How will her sister manage without her best friend near every day to offer her love and advice and guidance?

Who will notice when I'm down and need a hug, or have a crick in my neck and need a good back rub?

The rest of the gang around here is really going to have to pick up the slack  in order to fill this girl's shoes while she's away.

Saying good bye to my very best friend -  my first born beautiful daughter - as she left for her great adventure was one of my most difficult moments.

The day had been weighing heavily on my heart for months, and now it's already here and gone.

We were off early in the morning taking her and a car loaded full of things she couldn't live without to her new temporary home in the dorm, at the school where her life will change and she'll live and learn and see the world in a way that would never be possible here at home.

I'd like to have packed myself into one of the boxes and snuck along for the adventure.

Because I know when she comes home next summer everything will be different, that she will have changed in ways I can't even comprehend, and that she won't ever be my little girl again.

But I am so very proud of the young woman she is,  and excited to meet the women she will become.

Until next time,
XO
Heidi

PS. I'm off to SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in San Francisco on Saturday! I'll be taking lots of notes, and pictures, and trying hard to remember everything to share with you when I get back. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone, and spending a fun and informative day!  I have fabulous new shoes just for the occasion. Wish me luck!

12 comments:

Jemsmom said...

Well there you go... now I am crying!! I just posted about Jemma's first sleepover. I can't even begin to think about the day she leaves for college! Oh my heart goes out to you! I cherish each and every moment with her as I know they will go by so fast.

She will always be your little girl!

Have a wonderful time in San Fran!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

How sweet and I am tearing up with you. I cried too all when my daughter left and it is different when they come back home. Then when my daughter got married and moved in her new house and we got through helping them move in I cried all the way home that night and will never forget it. I knew she wouldn't be back to live with us again like she had in college. This time it was for good and it was sooooo hard. I am thankful that she is only 25 minutes away and we spend a lot of time together now especially since she became pregnant. Her first shower is Sunday and I can't wait. Have fun in San Francisco. I wonder if they are having anything like that in Atlanta.

gena said...

Such a beautiful post..... i just know that she'll do great, because of that great Mommy that led her to this moment !

Hang in there - it will be Thanksgiving before you know it !

gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Heidi,
oh, you are making me cry. I'm doing the same thing, but with my one and only daughter.
In a couple of days, we'll be officially Empty Nesters.....

Keetha Broyles said...

She IS adorable - - - and the picture with the hat and pearls, PRICELESS!

Tracy F. said...

About this exact time, 13 years ago, I left my beautiful daughter at college. She had been so excited and was so determined to go "far away from home". When it was time for her daddy and me to leave, she and I clung to each other and cried and cried. In fact, I cried on the entire flight from Phoenix to Atlanta. (we can all laugh about it now). She was fine and so was I!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Awww! You will always be there with her. She will always have the memories of Mother and Daughter time together. It will be ok! (((hugs)))

Melissa said...

Oh, I don't want to think about my girls going to college. I can think beyond it but the actual college thing. I feel for you.

James said...

It is a bittersweet time at best.

vignette design said...

It is so hard to let go. But when one door closes, another opens. You will find a new relationship developing in place of your physical separation. A friendship and a relationship that evolves in ways you can't see now. Trust that you will be closer in a way.
It is so hard to let go. I know.

Michele said...

This is such a sweet post, and I'm sure when she feels all the same things.

It was wonderful to meet you on Saturday! Hopefully ride home wasn't too sad without your daughter. Your youngest is beautiful by the way :)

I know that you're not on Twitter--one of the gals is having a linkup for everyone that is writing BBC reviews. Don't forget your bacon!
http://everydaymommyspot.blogspot.com/2010/08/7-bloggy-boot-camp-reviews-and-other.html

Anonymous said...

hello

wat a beutiful post.
so lovly fotos with the child.

greatings send you Conny