this is all your fault
Posted in family fringes on Saturday 07. 03. 10
No parents were allowed on the bus to say goodbye. So when Jordan disappeared into the charter, I became concerned. Was she sitting with her new friend she’d made in the pre-boarding area? Had she been abandoned midway down the bus aisle because that is what people do, they leave us? Was she happily chatting or was she sitting in a corner alone and confused? Whose idea was this anyway?
The windows were slightly tinted and foggy from all the Houston–area rainfall, so we the parents couldn’t see inside. Therefore, a lot of us were leaving instead of waiting for the buses to pull out. I didn’t even know these people, but they kept hinting that I should leave, too. I was just standing there with the baby and my nightmare scenarios, petrified. Finally, luckily, Ehren caught the attention of the bus driver by reaching out for Jordan near the door of the bus. He knew she was on there. The bus driver let him on board for one last wave. So we saw her there in the very back row. Wearing my earbuds and my iPod. Sitting next to people, yeah, but settling in for the ride in peace, I suppose.
We’d left her iPhone at home at the recommendation of the organizers, but no one else had followed that advice. So there she was in the pre-board area miserable in a sea of iPods, mp3 players and music phones without her iOCD. There was no way I was gonna let her ride for 10–12 hours without her music if all the other teens had theirs. So to the car we go and I gave up my cherished 80 GB and my effing Bose earbuds. Aaaaaaaaaargh. The things we do for these kids, why do we have these kids?
Jon Alex gave me a half-wave as he boarded a separate bus with the other youngest kid at camp. He is in the nine to 12 year old group and won’t even turn nine until three days after camp. Zion, my new favorite nerd boy, turned nine two weeks ago. It’s very good they have each other. The older 9–12 kids were completely ignoring both of them.
Deciding the buses had very little chance of reenacting the Challenger explosion upon takeoff, I finally left the older ones idling at the curb on their way to a great big adventure. Dropped Ehren off this morning with his daddy, threw the dog some food when I got back home, checked the mailbox for some money. The only sound in my house is the pecking away at the keyboard as I write this post. Oh yeah, and the chiming SMS alert from one of the camp leaders letting me know Jordan is doing great. Great with five exclamation points. You can totally breathe easier now since this is all your fault for not talking me out of letting her go when I told you about this months ago.
Your weekend of relief in comments…
So you’ve an empty nest? I’ve taken the clan down to a b-day party for my GD which looked more like playtime for her daddy. Then the clan headed down to spend the 4th with Grandpa.
Kids having a Yo Gabba Gabba blast. I’m wiped.
I hope you’ve requested SMS status updates on you tech gear too.
The silence is interrupted only by my neighbors and their firecrackers and boat mechanics. Eight in the morning, wtf. Enjoy your weekend!
I think I remember being happy when the kids went to bible camp. Although it has been a long time and just maybe I’m deceiving myself. Now, when my daughter went to Quebec with French Class, I was beside myself. I waited until that bus pulled away and didn’t give a rat’s ass who liked it. I was thinking — It’s another country for pete’s sake, give me some space to fret.
I love the baby picture lineup and how you aged them by their teeth. That was pretty sweet. Looking at them like that, don’t you just want to squeeze and kiss them all over??
I love babies.
Take care E! I’d find myself a party somewhere and light sparklers while I was getting lit myself.
I’ve ordered a pizza! The toppings I want and I’ll eat it in my room from the box on my bed. Living it up with a six-pack of Mike’s. Well, a 4-pk anyway. Got started early.
Don’t forget to breathe, mama.
And nap!
*sigh* and off they go! they’ll be great, and so will you. because that’s just what we do. enjoy the peace and quiet and seriously– thank goodness for five exclamation points!!!!! that makes everything better. sending all peaceful thoughts your way!
I’m only panicking every five minutes now instead of constantly, thanks! Your peaceful thoughts are working.
Just so you know, I’m totally jealous.…
If it hadn’t been for Q and his open invite to boot Ehren his way when needed, I’d be one walking sympathy card. That boy is high-maintenance. He can come home after I’ve had a week of naps.
I am so happy that she is doing great!
Thanks!