I dropped my son at college this past Friday. I had been anticipating this for a while (approximately 18+ years). In fact, the day after we brought him home from the hospital I cried for hours. When I called a friend she asked, “what’s wrong?” and I sobbed, “he’s going to go to college.” She said, “in 18 years!” and I responded, “I know!” When everyone says it goes fast, plan on faster.
Anyway, I spent last week eating my feelings, as the teenagers say, which didn’t do my blood glucose any favors. Forget time in range! I’m happy to say that the actual drop off day went well. We shopped at Target, took loads up to his dorm room, got his bed made and clothes put away. We went for a drive and killed some time, had lunch, then I left him forever. Or at least for several weeks.
I made a promise at orientation (silently, in my head, when the dean of students asked all of the parents) not to cry in front of him. I didn’t even cry in the car! I did a lot of distraction techniques – talked and texted with friends, went to dinner, went for walks. Then I got on the plane to head home and that was the hard part. That didn’t help my blood glucose either – you know, the whole stress-raises-blood-glucose thing.
Today is better. He’s good. I’m good. I’m eating vegetables again. Unfortunately, my endo visit is on Wednesday. I’m not looking forward to the CGM download. Roller coaster ride will be a very appropriate name on many levels. And we’ll all move through this just like the other phases of life/parenting (teething, potty training, and teaching him how to drive being in the top five of least enjoyable moments). Carry on.