Friday, February 20, 2009

Saying goodbye


The day I dreaded had finally arrived. Jared was finally leaving for Brisbane. My first bird is leaving the nest for good. It has been such a long preparation. The application, sitting for IELTS, the waiting for the replies from the uni, choosing the uni, the accommodation...It was great to have him home again from college for a few months. My family felt complete with him around and I tried not to think of his leaving. But February 15 finally arrived and I had to let him go. It is every mom's agony to see her firstborn leaving her. I guess God had trained me to cut the apron strings one by one. First, it was the mini holiday camps, then, the long camp - the national service, then it was Inti college where I never heard from him for weeks. Then, the big one.
At the airport, his friend commented that I am very strong because I did not cry. Well, I have rehearsed it so many times so I can say goodbye very well by now....I was more worried about him travelling alone all the way and so I asked for assistance from the flight attendant...of course this means he would have someone to guide him all the way. I did not have any doubts that he would be okay...but it was just for my peace of mind.

On the way home, I was strangely quiet. I did not feel like talking. Hubby tried to keep a conversation going but I was giving him monosyllables. When we arrived at home, Jared had arrived in Singapore. He complained that they put him in a waiting room with a bunch of oldies who also asked for flight assistance.
Then the electricity went out and it was so hot. I could not sleep the whole night. The blackout had made hubby's snores even louder. ....
When he finally sms to say he had reached Brisbane, I was really relieved that the uni people were there to receive him. Really thankful that God had smoothen his journey all the way and there was no trouble with the custom, etc
I certainly hope and pray that he would take this opportunity to learn and earn his degree, grow and be the man that God wants him to be.....