with Natalie caine

College Graduation

4 Responses

1. Cathy says:

   June 17, 2007 at 6:49 pm

   It was nice to read your blog today. In May, we watched our daughter get her B.A. and then weeks later moved her stuff to where she is going to graduate school. This week she is sleeping on sofas and making the rounds saying goodbye to her roommates of four years. They were strangers just four short years and seem closer than family today. It is amazing where life will take you and take the ones you love. We travel different roads, but we both travellers. Let the adventure continues!

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2. Jane Idell says:

   July 31, 2007 at 8:58 am

   I have turned really pathetic. I worked part-time while raising my 2 kids (who are only a year apart)so it’s not like I didn’t have any life aside from child rearing. But, what’s really wierd is that I am so proud of my kids and of myself for a job well done, I can’t think of anything, anything that will be nearly as fulfilling, that I will be able to do and say, “look what I helped do!” And even though I know I was tremendously lucky, I do still feel the pride of doing something my way that I don’t think I can ever do again. I really think I need the help of a support group that can be involved in community projects to make me feel useful again. Work (Ihave gone back full time)has taken a turn for the worse and has feed into feeling useless. I enjoy my family and my kids are involved in fascinating things that I enjoy with them occasionally but I can’t live for that or for grandchildren. What do you do once you’ve crossed parenthood off the list? I always thought I would heave a sigh of relief. I have quite a few close friends and they all have busy lives. Two have new careers, one had a late in life baby and another is dating again after divorce. I have lost those tight connections. And, please no simplistic answers! Jane

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3. Joanie says:

   August 6, 2007 at 10:29 am

   I, too, watched my daughter graduate from college this year. Four years ago I was full of anticipation letting her go off on her own and the overwhelming feeling of loss when she left was unbearable. Now, four years later, I feel that unbearable loss again. She has graduated college and wants to try renting an apartment with a friend for a year. My feelings of emptiness and loss are so strong right now that I can’t form a single sentence without crying. My realization that she really doesn’t need me any more is so profound that I am overwhelmed with sadness. What am I supposed to do with myself now? She is our only child and we have doted on her every whim for 21 years now. My husband has his job to keep him busy but I was a stay at home mom and I am truly lost!! Please help me get thru this … I feel like I am losing my mind!
   Thanks,
   Joanie

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4. Pat Wilson says:

   August 20, 2007 at 12:58 am

   My youngest son graduated and moved cross country . I feel pathetic because of my crying, and the fact that I have done nothing with my life other than three children and have no energy or interests left. I am 55 and feel there is nothing left. I am financially secure so I also feel like a brat.

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