Sophomore year  

aconfusedman Ask me for a photo 9/10/2008 6:09 pm Last Read: 9/12/2008 10:31 pm	By our standards, he had made it through 9th grade. We talked about how he wasn’t going to be lonely again. He had made it through his freshman year in school, and that he had gotten used to the system. He felt more assured about himself, but at the same time, very respectful of the achievements and abilities of his peers at school. When our son Isaac left our home for boarding school last year in August, my wife and I were beside ourselves with worry and sadness. We did not know what to do with all the time we had on our hands. No more rides to tennis, hag-won, or anything else. No more shopping for him. No more driving to and picking him up. We merely talked to him on the phone and had offered up support and encouragement. This is all we could do for him from so far away. But soon, we got used to him not being around. We became accustomed to the freedom that comes with being an empty nester. His schedule was packed when he came home for the summer. His mother saw to that. Golf lessons, tennis lessons, hag-won, SAT lessons. The boy was busier than ever, and the rides and scheduling as efficient as a military operation. Although we loved this boy to death, it was a chore. The summer was now over, and it was now time to head back to campus. We enjoyed having him here. We could see that he had grown physically, mentally and emotionally during this one year. And we could see the outline of a man that he will be and we are proud of him. Last week, we flew to New Jersey. We unpacked his things. Dragged up his stored items from the basement of his dorm, worked up a sweat in the New Jersey humidity, met his roommate – a Taiwanese boy, remarkably similar in physique to Isaac, tall, lanky and a little goofy, Isaac’s best friend. Convocation was on Sunday. We waited outside in the courtyard, as we saw the stream of students dressed in their formal attire moving toward the chapel. We saw a line-up of faculty as they slowly marched into the chapel from the side. A couple of straggler students ran into the chapel ahead of them. From afar we could see the ushers manning the doors waiting for them all to enter. Soon, we heard a sudden wild roar from the students inside, and the ushers deliberately and slowly closed the door behind them. My eyes reddened at the sight of those heavy white doors to the chapel closing, as this event truly signaled the beginning of our son’s sophomore year, safely ensconced once again into this privileged but difficult school. And we had to let go of our son for another year, into the guiding hands of this school in which we have placed so much trust, knowingly or unknowingly. Could we have done it better? I asked. After the convocation, we meet up with Isaac and said our good-byes and hugged. It was not sad at all. After all, we had been through this once before. As we left the campus, my wife and I gave each other a high-five. We were happy for him. We knew he will grow. We had faith that all will be well. Late at night, on this same day, we received our nightly call from Isaac. “Dad, I never thought I would say this but . . . I am kinda lonely.”
coucou 9/11/2008 6:36 am	I admire you and your wife. I admire how you think of your child. I remember you wrote a blog about his boarding school last year. I can imagine that how he could change compare to last year. and yes, you must be proud of him. I think we always have to let some space to discover the world by ourselves. On that way, we understand even better through the experiences. Somehow, parents are always afraid of new adventure of their children and can't make them affront against the experiences... For that, yes, I do admire your choice and try to be supportive for him. I'm sure he'll always remember your heart. Thanks for sharing this Acon, it touched me.
aconfusedman Ask me for a photo 531 posts  9/11/2008 9:20 am	cc - thanks for your comments, as always.
Carpe_Diem 339 posts  9/12/2008 4:58 pm	Good read, this brought back memories of my parents. I am the youngest of 3 so when I left it was more like a "good riddence". I do recall when my brother went off to college, I was helping my parents with the dry cleaning business so they can send my brother off to college. After coming back from saying there good byes I recall my mom being in the back of the store for a long time. Wondering what happened I went back and found her sobbing, I can see the saddness in her eyes that the oldest of her kids have left the nest. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh beautiful memories...