He arrived late Thursday night.
He looked taller. He looked like he had filled out. It had been less than 60 days. An illusion.
We couldn’t make it to Family Weekend in September. I could sense disappointment. His roommates’ parents showed. They graciously invited him to dinner.
It was a short 4-day week at school this weekend. A trip home before Thanksgiving wasn’t in the budget. Many of his new mates on the floor had planned to head home as they lived within a few hours drive. He didn’t want to make the call. He didn’t have to say it. And he didn’t. He wanted (needed) to come home, even if it was a brief weekend stay. And he could catch up with his sister who was home on break.
Dad and Son engaged in their customary near-monosyllabic dialogue.
- Do you like it there? Yes.
- Classes and grades? Very good.
- Girlfriend? No.
- Food? Good.
- No drugs, right? No, Dad.
- You need a haircut. No, Dad. (Yes, he really did. Let it go Dad. Just this once.)
- Need anything? No. I’m good.
- What do you miss most about home? My own bed and my shower. And Zeke.
It was after midnight, well past my bed time. I walked up the stairs and crawled into bed. I could hear the soft murmurring of Eric’s and Rachel’s voices downstairs. The chatter swelling my heart as I pulled the covers up. It was good. It was good to have everyone home.
When he arrived home from the airport, he came running through the house with his arms outstretched to give me a hug. Not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable by holding on too long, I loosened my grip. He sensed this, re-gripped and squeezed me tighter and wouldn’t let go. I needed those extra seconds. Hold me Son. Hold me.
Later this afternoon, we’ll be driving him to the airport. A short quiet ride.
And the house spills out empty again.
Photo Source: Dori Reads
Related Post:
- He’s Gone.
- The Last Supper.
- If there is a God, he was here today…
- Rescue me…
- Reflections (Morn of Eric’s Graduation Day)
- Break away for 1 hour for one of life’s delights…
- Like Father, Like Son? Not!
- Guest Post: Eric to Mom
- Wednesday for Women: Who are you calling a Mama’s Boy?
- Tic, Tic, Tic…6 months to Empty Nest
- He’d grown up just like me. My boy was just like me…
- The Believer of Convenience.
- Week in Review: Down but not out…
Live & Learn 
I’m crying …I feel the love between the two of you, your family, Eric and Rachel..how to hold on and let go – I haven’t figured that one out yet..’scuse me while I go get some Kleenex..
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Thank you Mimi. It took me a while to respond to this post and these comments. Let’s just say “me too.” Full stop. 🙂
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Big lump in the throat here, David, and typing between teardrops on the iPad screen. This love you share with your kids is tremendous….
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Thank you Lori.
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David. Wow… You almost made me cry and I don’t cry…
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Smiling. Well that might be a step forward. 🙂 Thanks Todd.
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The first trip home…….wonderful!
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Yes, it was…(until the airport drop-off that is and that interminably long 25 minute ride home)
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David. We were all there once, home from college and wanting to be cool and grown-up but a kid as well. You did great, Dad!
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Yes we were John. Thank you.
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Nothing to add…you said it all.
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Thank you Ray.
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I so admire you and your family’s love and devotion to one another. How you express your feelings regarding them is inspiring. You may not think so, but I would love to see you write a book, on anything.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you Francine. I appreciate your kind words and your confidence. Means a lot to me.
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I LOVED this. Me, being a very brand new parent, can understand & appreciate this. Precious!
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Hi Theresa. You day will come. Many years from today. But it will. Enjoy your early years. 🙂
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Very touching! The love between father and son. Powerful!
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Thank you Andrea…
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Wow, such love, and I understand…tears on this one.
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Thank you Carol
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I feel it…because I have felt it…it is so hard, but so necessary for them to go and have such an adventure to become who they are. We get the blessing of watching..
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Yes, the blessing of watching and remitting checks for the tuition bills. 🙂 Thanks Tina.
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Laughing hard!!! yes I have felt that too and still have one that I am feeling it for 🙂
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I can relate to this, you brought tears to my eyes, yes a few seconds more….
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Thank you Indira.
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What I said last week…
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Thank you LaDona
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Another special post, Dave. It’s wonderful to see how you and your family cherish each other.
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Thanks Sandy…and distance makes the heart grow fonder. 🙂
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I am impressed so much and reminded me my memories and I felt twice with tears. Blessing and Happiness to you and your family, love, nia
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Thank you so much Nia…
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Oh, how precious are those visits. I know exactly how you feel now that he’s gone back. Lovely memories though. 🙂
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Yes they are precious AD. Thank you.
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You never write better than on this topic, David. It’s very powerful.
I am seeing my son again in November, 12 months after he left us to travel to Australia to see if he could find himself and work out what he wants to do in life. I hope he recognises me!
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Laughing. I’m sure he will recognize you…and I think you’ll find he appreciates you more too…Have a good weekend Michael.
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Sad, sad, sad. Must be sooo difficult to let them go! Makes a heart cry with tears of love and joy. Such a mixture of sweetness, to be sure…
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Yes, very much so. Thanks Carolyn.
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Thank you for sharing. Very touching and such good memories.
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Thank you Bim.
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Wow.. A year and a half I will be there. Hang in there and enjoy those precious moments!
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Yes, Paco, enjoy the remaining time you have left.
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Such a touching post. Especially that I have 2 sons and soon I know they’ll be off to somewhere. 🙂
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Thank you Meikah. Enjoy your time with your sons. It goes quickly.
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I took my son to an auto show today…he sat in the driver’s seat of a sports car and I could see him behind the wheel in my mind’s eye, and I know that time is truly speeding by. On the way home, he talked of going to college. And tonight I read your post..and see it all on the other end, with a lump in my throat as I read. Beautiful post David.
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Thank you Bonnie. Yes, the time does speed by. You blink, and it’s gone…
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Brought tears to my eyes too. The love for a child, even a grown one is a wondrous thing, one that changes as they grow. You never think you will miss them as much as you do when they grow and leave home.
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Thank you Joylene. I so agree with your thoughts. Thank you.
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“I love you” not in words but in recognizing the need for comfort and the touchstone of “home”, in ignoring the budget and sharing life’s important moments – it fills the heart and allows us to go forward strengthened.
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Thank you Linda. You are so right…
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Go Deacs!
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In scholastics maybe…
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