[bicyclerepair]

3hrs. away at UCF. You all must think I’m stupid.

I’m sorry for posting this. But it hurts inside.

Tonight was the first time I ever saw her cry in sadness. So that’s a good thing. And she was raised a die-hard Christian with solid conservative values.

Her picture replaced Sarah Palin’s as my phone wallpaper tonight.

[null and void]

You all must think I’m stupid.

Not in the slightest.

[bicyclerepair]

On the way home, there was a car with two stickers:

Tell Barak I’m broke.

NOBAMA 2012, we gave each other double-thumbs up.

My Dad said he’s been there, done that. Sister went to Penn State, long way from Ft. Lauderdale. So 3hrs. is nothing.

I should be glad that she wants to come home for a 4-day labor day w/e. If she didn’t, THEN I should be sad.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest you all. I love you people. And I’m addicted to FR.

[spokeshave]

You will be fine.....be thankful that your daughter is in college....now you can focus on a long and healthy life in anticipation of being a grandfather.

[WHBates]

UCF is a good school and she close. Chill out, she’ll be fine.

[Chgogal]

Skype! (Best invention ever!)

: )

It will be rough for her and you the next few months. Don't kid yourself.

My Sis and BIL brought their oldest to Gainsville today. They live in Ft. Lauderdale too. Next year the youngest will be heading out. : (

Thankfully, they will still have their dog.

[Dilbert San Diego]

You are not stupid. We do not feel that you are stupid for posting this.

There is some pain and sadness that a major phase of life has ended, as your daughter is going off into the world. But, just know that this is a part of life. You yourself, at some point, grew up and moved out of your parent’s house, and got married and moved on into adulthood. Your daughter is taking those first steps now.

I felt similarly when both of my children moved out of the house. But, it’s the natural order of things, that children grow up and leave home to create their adult lives.

[Argus]

Go visit her in two weeks. Meet her friends. Keep in touch by email, etc.

[Chgogal]

“Tonight was the first time I ever saw her cry in sadness.”

I still remember dropping my Sis of at AU in DC. My father is a tough one. : )

She had one suitcase and that was it. Everyone else had moving vans. To make things worse, AU had her in the male dorm. I still remember waving to her as we drove off. She stood there so forlorn. It still breaks my heart. But she survived beautifully, although that Freshman year for her really sucked. She'd call me crying.

[TXLady]

Not stupid at all. I understand totally. Even though you know you have to let her go it doesn’t make the pain any less real! It will get easier. Try to stay busy and not think about it is the best advice I could give.

I have a grown son that is a thousand miles away and I haven’t been able to see him in two years. I have days where all I do is cry but then for the most part I try to stay busy and not think about it. He and his family lived five minutes away for ten years and then moved. Just about broke my heart. I can certainly offer prayer for the pain and understanding for your feelings.

[TXLady]

Not stupid at all. I understand totally. Even though you know you have to let her go it doesn’t make the pain any less real! It will get easier. Try to stay busy and not think about it is the best advice I could give.

I have a grown son that is a thousand miles away and I haven’t been able to see him in two years. I have days where all I do is cry but then for the most part I try to stay busy and not think about it. He and his family lived five minutes away for ten years and then moved. Just about broke my heart. I can certainly offer prayer for the pain and understanding for your feelings.

[higgmeister]

With each visit back home, my F-in-L would cry when we got in the car to leave. That happened over and over for twenty years at least. He has been gone for a long time but I still marvel that he let me take her so far away the first time. My wife and I are attempting to get used to the prospect that our S-in-L may take our Daughter and Granddaughter to live clear across the country, seemingly retracing our paths of 35 years ago. It would be a fantastic career move for him but I wonder how I will hold up if that happens.

[ladyL]

I have so much I could share with you. I couldn't stop crying for three days when my daughter graduated H.S. and I don't cry easy. When we drove her to college 3 hours away, she being our only child, left a huge hole in “the three of us.” I thought I wouldn't be able to make it...but God! I prayed 24/7. We talked on the phone 2-3 x a day...We didn't see her for one month as she was too busy to come home and she just kept getting more busy. It was hell! I have no advice for you. Nothing made it easy for me. We were too close but she persevered and eventually became her own woman. Thank God for her strength...I couldn't have done it. (We homeschooled) She is now a 32 yr. old married woman with two children. Her life is completely full and she gives me a little time every once in awhile if she can spare it. She's still busy. Do I miss “the three of us?” I sure do...but she is happy and that is all that counts. Scottie, my daughter, is one of the newest Politichicks on the Patriot Network and is very active politically. She will be covering the RNC and the DNC so I covet your prayers for her safety. Thank you and I pray your heartache lessens with time.

[Claud]

You all must think I’m stupid.

Oh gosh no! My kids are 4, 3, and 7 mo. and I'm already feeling sad about them leaving....years from now!

[Servant of the Cross]

I’m sorry for posting this. But it hurts inside.

Don't be sorry! If your spirit prompted you to post this, it was what you were supposed to do.

And she was raised a die-hard Christian with solid conservative values.

I'm reminded of a sign in my mother-in-law's house ... “Parents give their children two gifts. First they give them roots and then they give them wings.”