I’ve been emotional this week. Thinking a lot about perspective and how we worry about, focus on and expend our energy on things that, in the grand scheme of things, don’t really matter. I wasn’t sure why that kept coming up for me until this morning when my husband sent an image that popped up on social media. It read, “She’s finally on campus. My baby girl is all set.”
Five years ago today, we packed the car (heavy on PACKED) and took a family road trip down the sunny I-5 highway to drop our daughter off at college all while going through one of the toughest times in our lives. On the way we listened to music, sang loudly, enjoyed our favorite snacks, took power naps, detoured at rest stops and gas stations until we arrived on the hilltop.
We rolled up our sleeves and hydrated in preparation for the long day ahead. Once the car was fully unloaded and all of her belongings were inside the dorm room, we were off to multiple stores to get a long list of items needed to make her space feel like a home away from home. I am the queen of let’s shop until you drop (on a budget). I love a good deal and I’m great at finding them. Plus, we’d been anticipating this moment since she received her acceptance letter in 2019 so we were beyond ready. One thing about my daughter, she’s a planner, intelligent and extremely organized. I absolutely love that about her.
We made all of the necessary stops. We sanitized her room, the bathroom, met roommates, put bookcases and shelving together and moved things around a few times until it was perfect. And, just so we’re clear, when I say we moved things, I mean my husband and our two sons moved things. It was late. Eventually, we had a meal together and returned to the hotel to rest.
Surviving covid, not having a prom, or walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma, attending her freshman year of college online, then getting to campus her sophomore year only to have her full-ride scholarship that was originally based on her academic achievement no longer be a full-ride was intense. The following day we found a delicious breakfast spot, tied up loose ends with the administration office, ran a few more errands, then did a little sightseeing before the long drive home.
It was overcast that day (literally and figuratively) and time for us to leave. But we were present and in the moment. Grateful that we made it to move-in day. None of us ready to part (well at least I wasn’t) so we took an unhealthy amount of photos. I told my family not to post any of the ones with me. I had been losing weight at a rapid rate since May. I was sick. You could see it in my eyes and the doctors didn’t have an explanation.
We were experiencing the most exciting and terrifying moment in our lives and that was just the beginning. Honestly, I was afraid. I put on a good face for my daughter, gave her all the love and hugs and we left her ready to explore, and grow. So, when I look back over my life and I think things over…(#iykyk). The fact that I’m here to talk about it five years later brings up all the emotions. There is more to the story and much to unpack but I am not certain this is the platform in which to do so.
I will say this. There is so much we as women, mothers, sisters, leaders, humans…carry trying our best to be and become. Be mindful where you spend your energy. Make sure you’re getting a good return on your investment.
Stay tuned…
Full-Time Woman 