The big day has finally arrived! After months of anticipation and preparation, we are finally free to embark on our big journey to the land of early Christendom and the most delicious gyros you can possibly imagine! And yet, in the midst of all the excitement over our trip to Greece & Bulgaria, I feel a bit like the guy in the picture.I am leaving my children behind. And while I'm certain of my return in just over 9 days, I have never been good at saying good-byes to the ones I love. I think it all started when I was shipped off to college. At 18, I was headed for the big city for my freshman year at a major school. I was young... immature... green... still wet behind the ears. And on the morning of my scheduled arrival in my new abode, my parents promptly helped me pack up my little Honda CRX then watched as I set sail alone towards my destination. My roommate's parents came with him and stayed about 5 or 6 days just to make sure he got settled in properly, but not my folks. They just waved good-bye and called about 3 weeks later just to make sure I found everything okay. I always thought it a bit odd, but chose not to dwell on it too much. Now I am convinced that this strange occurrence has stunted my ability to say good-bye the right way.
My compensation for this short-fall is to go overboard. I tend to cling. I've been clinging to my kids for the past couple of days. Hugging them more... cuddling with them in the bed... watching more TV with them. I even drove them to school this morning. They were probably ready for us to leave given the amount of Daddy they've had these last few hours, but I was pretty torn up. I never actually cried outwardly, but I know that over the next few days, I'll think of them often and long for next Sunday night, when I'll get to see them and hold them again.
They're supposed to be checking this blog over the next few weeks. Kids, I love you! I hope you have a great time while I'm gone! Remember, Mom and I are just a few days away!
