[abbygirl]

Today my son graduates from high school and leaves tomorrow for college.

To say that I am emotional is quite an understatement.

I woke up with a migrane (more like a tension headache) and am trying not to cry because I do not want bags under my eyes for the pics, but so far I have failed. I don't care because I can't control it.

My rock, (my mom) who travels four hours to see us, has been here for every single event of his, will miss the biggest one of all because her sister's (her last living relative) cancer has now spread (it is not curable) and she had to travel to Miss. to be with her. Of course I understand, and although my son is a very understanding guy normally, he is taking this hard. He wanted her to be here soooo bad and teeters on being mad vs. understanding.

My in-laws are here (I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM) and they are helping me alot, (my husband who normally my rock, cannot understand why I am taking this so hard. DUH.

SO today I am having a most difficult day and i still have 8 hours before graduation gets here.

[annemerrick]

I am sorry...I can understand how hard this must be!!

[Veelyn]

Aww Abby, I'm so sorry! I'm sure you will be fine and I'm sure you will look outstanding with your hot self.

Just tell your son to call and email every single day! lol.

[gillianna]

As difficult as this day is look at your son and what a fine young man you raised him to be. Realize that your love and caring has made him who he is today and you have a right to be sad but know that you have done a great job as his mother and he will be OK. I think your emotions will run high and low. Yes there is joy is seeing him grow but the letting go part has to be so difficult. I was sad when my son went on a trip to Washington DC and he was only gone for 7 days.
I know today is hard but remember he will always be your baby no matter how old he is and you will always be his mother there for him when he needs you but slowly learning how to let go.
Bring lots of tissues tonight and have a wonderful time.HUGS.

[ilovepinkhearts]

^^^

i agree 100% this is a huge step in his life and in yours. you helped him all those years. you have helped mold him into the man that he is becoming, be happy. shed some tears. and hug him tight and let him know how proud you are of him and how great a person he is.

im sorry that your mom can't be there, cancer sucks and i hate it. take lots of pictures and enjoy the moment

[Jahpson]

well, congratulations to your son all around. That is a huge accomplishment.

It won't be so bad, just ask him to call every week.

[Zophie]

Awww, I'm sorry. I can understand why you're upset. But just think, you could be like my parents. We both kept coming back and they were like, "When are you going to leave my house!" Just remember that he's just going to college. It's not like you won't still be his mom and won't see him.

[boxermom]

I feel for you. It's one of those big life moments that can be very, very emotional, like watching your child marry. You raised him to be capable of going off towards independence. He'll always be your son.

Believe it or not, you will eventually appreciate having the house to yourself when the kids are grown and on their own!

[queenvictoria2]

Awww! Hugs to you! I know just how you feel! My DD is going to be a Senior next year but when she left for College I remember feeling like someone cut off my left arm I was so sad
But it does get easier I promise!

[bisbee]

It's hard, I know. BUT...just think - if you hadn't done your job as a mother SO well, he probably wouldn't be graduating, and wouldn't be going to college. Then you'd REALLY have something to cry about.

This is the way it's supposed to be. He is heading off on a great adventure, which is his own life. That is why we have children. Be happy FOR HIM. It's really NOT about you, even if it makes you feel like sh*t!

Take care!

[TejasMama]

I imagine that this is a very emotional time for you, and my heart goes out to you. I know it is difficult but I hope you take comfort in the fact that you've raised a wonderful young man about to embark upon a fantastic adventure in higher education--something many people dream of but never get to do.

I'm sure your mom would love to be there and must feel very conflicted that she can't be everywhere for everyone (such is the plight of most mothers). Still, she must also be going through an amazingly difficult time trying to give comfort to a loved one with cancer. I'm sure you're grateful that she's been at all the other major events for your son...what a blessing that must be!

If he's going to college close by, I imagine you'll get to see him a great deal. After all, there's nothing like going home to do your laundry and eat some real home cooking! Blessings to you...

[abbygirl]

Thank you for your words ladies.

It was an amazing night, and of course, I cried like a baby as soon as the marching music played for them to walk out. I just so much excitement and accomplishment for him. He was one of 30 out of 440 who wore a black gown for his distingushed acheivement. It made it very easy for me keep my eyes focused on him in the black gown. That in itself made me cry! I swear I don't know where he got his smarts from! o.k. I admit, they came from his dad as he is very intelligent, but he did get his personality from me...... So I can be proud to have passed on something.

My girlfriend who came to see him just kept saying to me "are you going to be o.k.? and the row in front of us kept turning around staring at me because I was just bawling.....how embarrassing huh?

When I met up with my son outside the auditorium he said "your stilllll crying??? Although he gave me a big hug and said it's gonna be o.k., we took pics and believe me when I say, my eyes looked horrible.

On a good note, my girlfriend said she was at this same auditorium two days prior to this graduation to attend another one, and she had to go through medal detectors to get in and police were all over the place for that particular school. How sad is that? Medal detectors for a graduation ceremony.

I now can stop feeling sorry for myself having to go through these emotions and move on with life. I now look forward to what he will accomplish in his adult life.

[oo0ehxtahcee0oo]

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!! im so proud of you for being strong, and really proud of him and that black gown!! you two rock!!

[titania029]

Hey Abbygirl, congrats to your son on his accomplishment and to you for being a good mom!

I'll tell you a funny little story to help you along. My mom dropped me off at the airport to go back to school after one of many summers during college/grad school. After I left, she encountered another mother dropping her daughter off. And this mother was crying. My mom asked what was wrong, and she responded "it's her first year in college, I'm having a hard time." My mom told her that it will get easier. She asked my mom, "is it your child's first year too?" My mom responded "no, it's year 7 now, and I wish she would just graduate!"

[~Fabulousity~]

What an awesome milestone! and you are so blessed to be able to experience it