Off To College / A Letter from Tracey to Mom and Dad
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Sending your child off to college for the first time isn't a very easy thing to do. I've heard that said many times before but to experience the truth of it came for me today. Barely sleeping a wink the night before, I arose with the first glimpse of sun to make a special breakfast for Tracey and to put together last minute items before hitting the road. We wanted an early start in order to beat most of the other 5,000 freshman at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on move-in day.
We were beginning to feel some of the increased stresses of making a big transition from high school to college and then Tracey, somewhat teary eyed, handed me a special card she had made for her Dad and I.
Tracey's Letter
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It's A Beautiful Morning
After good-byes were said at home and guidance offered to reassure Tracey that she could deal with the college experience we headed out the door where 2 cars were packed and waiting. It was a beautiful morning! Tracey drove with me and it was pretty much a quiet ride between her and I.
The night before Tracey got together with friends and did some celebrating. Her group of friends have special songs they listen to together and each friend was given a cd of their songs. They agreed they would listen to it on their way to college, each of them going their separate ways but each remaining connected through their special music. It was rather beautiful. Tracey would pipe in now and then asking me if I knew this song. She was very proud of me that I did know some of them.
As we drove past Mt. Wachusetts we saw a glimpse of the coming fall foliage and I imagined many future trips through this beautiful area. I have seen this part of Western Massachusetts at the peak of foliage season and it is spectacular. This country drive displaying its splendor and beauty in all four seasons makes the back and forth drive easier during college time off and is one of the good reasons Tracey chose this school.
Eastern Massachusetts Fall Foliage
UMass Amherst Photos
Welcome to UMass Amherst Tracey
What excitement and joy of arrival at UMass Amherst as Tracey looks all about and proclaims "this is frigin sweeeet". Yup, no more need for Mom to worry. And you should see the size of her dorm room. Her new roommate Lauren's mom has a knack for designing and transformed their room into the sweetest pink party pad you could ever imagine. Now I worry!!!! Second thought, I wouldn't mind staying here awhile. Tracey smiles and gives the thumbs up.
The only thing left for Tracey's parents to do now is to let her grow to become more independent. I believe one of the greatest gifts to give your child is the ability to solve their own problems rather than taking care of everything for them. Many parents think their job is done once their child turns 18 but I will welcome the delights and dilemmas of being a parent of a college student.
We are thinking of you and miss you, Tracey. Please keep in touch. Hugs from Mom and Dad and thanks for the special card.
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Comments
Thanks Sally for the congrats and thanks for that interesting fan mail. ~Dottie~
Thank you for sharing this personal story with us. The love you have for your daughter warms my heart. She is so lucky to have a wonderful mum like you Dottie. Tracy is a beautiful girl and its obvious she got her looks from her mother. I pray to God Tracy acheive all her goals and realize all her dreams with her parents beside her guiding her along the way Good luck Dottie. 2 Thumbs up.
aww thanks mom!
Hey Hi Tracey, aww you're welcome and sooo sweeeet too! Glad to hear the pieces are finally falling into place. Keep your chin up, girl!!!! love Mom.
Hi Ashwin, aww your welcome too!! And thanks for just the right words a mother needs to hear. 2 Thumps up back 2u. :)
Hi Dottie, it's 4 am and I'm up again. But I'm feeling lighter now after being quiet for two days (imagine that!) after hearing VioletSun and Shirley's comments on my chanting on dayzeebee's hub "They Hub Among Us." I am smiling right now and am teary eyed as I read your hub. You see I could feel myself about to launch into a story about my childhood and being away from home that I missed so many of the things kids do with their parents. So Tracey's letter touched me deeply. And I know you are touched to know that what you all did for her is very much appreciated. I can also feel so much love from you for her too. That inspires me a lot! Thanks for sharing Dottie. Hugs, love and light.
--Michelle
By the way Dottie, you and tracey have the same lovely smile. :) Have a beautiful day ahead of you!
Awww you are too kind sis ripplemaker! I can feel myself about to launch to your mailbox to share an interesting story with you. A story all my other sister's know. Be right over!!! Hugs, love and light back to you!
oooppps!
Hi Dottie!, you sound like a mother i wished i had, and your daughter Tracey is definetly a chip off the old block! and looks smart too ;) and her letter 2u was very sweet!
:)
Thanks Comp, I really appreciate that. I'll be your mom but I don't want to lose you as a friend. Now what would you like for dinner? "And oh yes, don't forget to clean the litter box"! LOL
Hi Dottie, I just read your email and would like to drop by to say I already emailed you back LOL Thanks so much for spreading sunshine today. :)
I also sent my oldest daughter to college this year, the day after we got her moved I went into her empty room and cried. I seen her the very next day, because thankfully we live close to her college of choice, but still it just about broke my heart in two. This was so sweet. She is gonna grow up to be a great woman.
Hi Ripplemaker, I'm coming back for tea again tonight to answer a few of those questions. See ya then. :)
Hi gwendymom, how are you? So you sent your daughter off to college too. Did you find her senior year a hectic mess? I went into Tracey's empty room and did some shopping for myself. Found out that half the stuff belonged to me! LOL. Will be visiting her this weekend. She needed a new laptop, her refrig. broke, her books hadn't come in and she's already changed her major. Lots of luck and blessings being sent your way for you and your daughter's college journey. ~Dottie~
wow what a beautiful display of love dottie. such a wonderful relationship you have with your daughter. she has definitely picked up your ability to express love in the sweetest of manners. thank you for being such an inspiration. Godbless:)
Thank you Dayzeebee, it's always sooo good to see you. Thank you for coming by and leaving all of those very kind words. See ya around! ~Dottie~
Dottie! I can't believe that I haven't already commented on this....where've I been?
I just love this hub - the letter, the tug on the umbilical cord, Tracey's reaction to arriving at college....I can imagine how it was for you to drive away without her. She is a beautiful young lady, by the way.
Obviously, you did a great job of making her feel loved. Kudos to you, mom and dad.
Thank you Shirley for your many kind words. This was a fun hub for me to put together. It was as if I was spending the day with Tracey. You're right, it was weird driving away without her. We were talking about that when I was leaving. We have never been apart for more than one week and that was just once. But change is necessary to continue to grow and to love, so I hear! Take Care! ~Dottie~
Awesome hub Dottie, I have gone through just about the same experience with my Baby leaving to go to college what a short, looooong two years ago...yup they have to leave the coop to spread their wings... knowing, that's the way it has to be didn't make the letting go any easier though, (I've done it three times with each of mine and I can vouch for it that it doesn't get any easier, even with practice)
Great hub
kindest regards Zsuzsy
It's also been fun watching and learning from my kids as they spread their wings through college years. Neither of my kids have completely moved out so the empty nest syndrome hasn't come on full swing yet. It is always good to read other peoples experiences to prepare for what lies ahead.
Thanks Zsuzsy for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! Take Care.
Thank you for sharing. The letter your daughter wrote it just beautiful and I am sure you will cherish it forever. You can tell you both have given her the wings to fly.
Congrats.
Thanks recipes4myson, I will definitely cherish that letter forever, it's a keeper! My daughter's first year in college was a successful one, even with the transition of switching her major she still made the honor role and gained much independence. I appreciate your visit and comments.
You have a beautiful daughter Dottie, not just physically but also beautiful inside. Well I guess it's because Tracey had a beautiful mother too, LOL!
Congratulations on her very good first year.
BTW nice photos of Massachusetts. =)
Thanks Charia. Nice to see you. Yesterday we moved Tracey back into college to start her second year. I just hope it goes as well as the first. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your visit and comments.
Sally Dillon says:
15 months ago
Congrats to all! Yep, you're not done... never will be - but that's a GOOD thing!