Remember that scene from
Fiddler on the Roof where Tevya's eldest daughter gets married and he and Golda sing about how quickly she went from being their little girl to a grown woman? I'm experiencing a little of that myself these days. I've been furiously (and I mean furiously) rushing around trying to finish all manner of projects and assignments before my husband and I head out tomorrow to Atlanta, Georgia. My sweet,little girl who's now 5'10" and 18 years old is headed to Emory University. I'm not going to sugar coat it. I will be crying. I've already cried. I know that this is great and she's starting her own life and isn't it wonderful that she has this opportunity. I've got all that. But people, it's weird and unsettling and I don't think you realize just how weird and unsettling it is until you're right there on the threshold of your child leaving home. She's always lived with us. She's always been a kid. Now...well not so much.
I'm coping with it the way I cope with everything. Partly I avoid thinking about it until it's smack dab in my face and by making stuff.
To that end I dyed and patterned several lengths of fabric for closet curtains for my girl and her roommate. I planned a knitting project that I hope to complete during the car ride because, I may be a little sad, but there's no way I'm going to waste 30 perfectly good hours of uninterrupted knitting time. And I finished a mini quilt to donate to the silent auction at my synagogue this Sunday evening.
I won't be at the silent auction because I'll still be on my way back from Atlanta, but hopefully this little quilt will find a good home.
I'll be back next week with more hand dyed, homemade goodness and at least one extra room in my house.
18 comments:
Your mini quilts are so great -- and this one is no exception!
Wow! I love your blog and quilts! I've never commented before. Just a lurker I guess! I work @ Emory Univ. We welcome your family and your daughter to our wonderful university! Hope you enjoy your time here!
Not so sure you should count on one extra room in your house, maybe half a coloset.....
Been there, done that, twice! It is a strange event and yet sort of freeing in a way. It will definitely take some getting used to. Looks like a lot more projects will be in the works!
I have 2 daughters that headed to college 15 and 13 years ago respectively and the excitement we felt as we prepared their rooms and explored the campus again after the quick trip at orientation helped to calm the sadness and loss I thought I would feel. I wish the same for you.
Oh, I feel for you. I just talked to my son and baby who is 20 and just getting settled in his room in SWEDEN.... :-( He is attending Uppsala University. I too am so very proud of him but at the same time miss him terribly. Go ahead and be sad but enjoy every moment of hearing about your daughters adventures! Sending good thoughts and by the way I love the mini quilt!
When my daughter, who is starting her senior at Whitman college, left for college we were all devastated. she was leaving for college and we were moving to the east coast for my husband to take a new position in the SUNY system in NY. I was unable to take her to her new school because we were moving the day she had to be at her new school. I can't begin to tell you how awful this whole experience was for me and her. She no longer had a home to go to and I was unable to go and visit her when ever I wanted to. At least you are both in the same vicinity, not 3,000 miles away.
Our other daughter will be leaving for college in a couple of years (She is a junior in high school). We are hoping that she will chooses a school that is closer to home!
I have four daughters and my youngest two (twins) are heading off to their respective colleges for their Freshman year. Let me tell you, I can feel your pain!!
It's always hard when one leaves, but to have everyone gone is going to be profound for me. I wish your daughter much success and you, also, great success in reinventing yourself for this new phase of life! Hugs--
Malka, my only girl went away to college last fall and the first year was hard on us both. Not to worry, you will help each other get through this experience and before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas break will be upon you with tons of hugs and stories to go round. This year, my now 19 year old leggy delight is entering as a Sophomore and can't wait to get back to her friends, nyc, and a new year of adventures. Hang in there and all my best to you both. Donna from Upstate New York
Wow, I can just imagine that I will be the same way when my daughter moves away to college too. I'm having a hard time, just thinking about it. Lot of luck with the move, I'm sure your daughter will love it!
congratulations for you and your daughter for getting to this milestone!
my husband taught at Emory for 2 years and it is an excellent university. that said, ATLANTA is a great area for QUILTING! i truly miss being so close to so many great shops and inspiring quilters. I'll send you and email with quilt shop info.. if you need some cheering up while she's off getting settled in...
I loved Fiddler on the Roof! My daughter will be a high school senior this year. I know this time next year I will be proud of her and thrilled for her and crying like crazy! It makes me tear up just to think about it. Good luck to you and your daughter!
Hope your daughter will enjoy Emory and good luck adjusting on your end! I live in Atlanta and used to work at Emory - lovely campus and great school. Adding to a previous commenter, there are also yarn shops near Emory - NeedleNook on Briarcliff, Knitch in VA Highland, and Sheepish in downtown Decatur. Enjoy your visit this weekend!
It's a great time, but a tough time. Mine just got home for a two week break and then back to St Paul. It's hard to say how much I miss him. Cry your eyes out...I sure do! She's going to be fabulous!
Hi Malka, Its a little bit different in Australia. Children mainly study in the city they live in. I have 2 boys now in university. The oldest, at 21 still lives at home, wakes at midday, might go to class or watch the lecture on line instead, still in his PJ's. The couch will be commandeered for the rest of the day, coffee cups and clothes left where they have been discarded. He has 2 jobs and for one, where he works in a restaurant, he comes home after 2 am! The second child thankfully actually attends classes daily, is neat and organised but also works strange hours. As a family, we mainly eat together and at least see each other everyday. My youngest is still in high school. Sometimes I yearn for peace and quiet as we race around our boys and their busy lives but I don't know that I could handle the set up in the States where it is normal for 18 year olds to get up and go to study elsewhere. My oldest did go on shnat to Israel for a year with Habonim. It was a big growing up year but the minute he came home to study he was back to his old ways. I wish you all the best for your daughter and I hope she loves what should be the best years of her life.
my sister is starting her senior year at emory! it's a great place - i'm sure your daughter will have a blast. :)
Our daughter left Missouri to go to Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, just down the road from Emory. Your daughter will love the Atlanta communities! And you will love going to visit her there. We felt our daughter's move was the best for her and she has been successful and independent since her graduation. And, yes, I also cried EVERY time she returned to campus.
Malka, my heart goes out to you. What a coincidence that I happened upon your blog this morning - or maybe not. My empty-nest pangs are amping up in anticipation of the few days that lie ahead of me. Last year my only child moved to Manhattan to attend NYU. I will NEVER forget the day I had to hug her good-bye and walk out of her dorm room. I cried for hours, days, okay - honestly, weeks! Every trip home resulted in the same painful and tearful good-bye as she returned to NY. Tonight I leave to join her there to help her organize this year's dorm room. I am already dreading Wednesday's good-bye when I return to L.A. without her for the second year. Although the good-byes have not gotten any easier, what warms my heart is the connection I see my daughter has to her family and home in L.A. As happy as she is at school, she looks forward to her trips home, where she finds respite from her busy college life and the comforts that can only be found at home. After all, to quote a famous Dorothy I think we all know - "there's no place like home". I wish the best for your daughter and for you as you both navigate through this phase of your lives.
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