Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Farewell To My Son Scott


Scott 11 years ago

Other than pictures, I've not posted on my blog in quite some time as I really haven't had anything much to say. These past couple of months I've been thinking a lot about my son Scott heading off to college. Midnight approaches and there's no way I'll be able to get to sleep as my mind is racing a mile a minute because my son Scott heads off to college tomorrow. So, I figured I'd write a little about it.

This evening his mom, his brother and sister, and I took him to the Golden Corral for a farewell dinner. We've never been there and we were all surprised how good the food was; much better than Fire Mountain up the street. We had a very nice time together and then they dropped me off here and headed over to his moms house. I wish I could have spent a little more time with him but he had friends coming over to his mom's.

It's been a busy few weeks getting everything ready for him to go but he's all packed up and will be departing tomorrow morning around nine o'clock. I procured several weeks of staple foods and bought him some new clothes, plus I gave him and his brother Chris, who is returning for his senior year, some extra money for expenses.

This will be the start of a new chapter in Scott's life and I wish him all the best. I'm very proud of him for being accepted to the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. I'll miss him more than I can possibly relate using mere words on a page.

I remember many years ago coming across my mother one evening sitting in her chair by the window crying silently. I sat down by her and asked her what was the matter. She mentioned she was missing my brother Rick who moved out of the house several weeks earlier quite a bit and it was making her very sad. Being in my teens and thinking I knew everything I mentioned I could not understand why that would make her so sad. With tears running down her cheeks she gave me a big hug and said you'll never be able to understand it unless you have children of your own one day; when they leave home for the first time you'll know exactly what I'm feeling.

I patted her hand, gave her another hug, and went off to watch TV. How many years later do I again recall this conversation with her as I did when my son Chris went off to college. And once again I am reminded of the words she spoke, and how true they were.

In closing, To my son Scott, know that your dad loves you with all his heart, cherishes the times he had with you, and wishes all the best for you. Your mom and I and will always be here if you need us. Part of me wishes you and your siblings could always stay with us, yet it's your time to go out into the world. I know this can be scary, but I have no doubts whatsoever that you'll do well! Fare thee well, my son!