The younger son left for the start of college Friday morning, making us officially an empty nest.
No. 1 son graduated and moved out last year.
With the departure of No. 2 son, it means we no longer have to worry about:
- Lights needlessly being left on in rooms, especially when no one is there.
- Turning down the thermostat in his room during the winter. I swear, tropical plants were thriving in there.
- Overflowing garbage.
- The boy spores he left in the shower.
- The hair products, colognes and various cleansers that crowded the bathroom sink.
- Finding empty boxes of food left behind in cabinets.
- Staying up late at night waiting for him to return home.
- Trying to figure out when he will be home for dinner so we can eat together as a family.
- Seeing empty bottles of water pile up in his room like some weird modern art exhibit.
But guess what? I’m going to miss him not being around.
I will miss:
- Learning a thing or three about colorful cussing.
- His endlessly entertaining, richly detailed, hilarious accounts about his encounters working with the public. What a story-teller!
- Watching up-close as he interacted with his wide circle of friends, supporting them, enjoying their company and being there for them.
- His snarky sense of humor. When I complained that he blocked me from following him on Twitter, I was told: “I block with love, padre.”
- That he calls me “padre.”
- Watching him grow into his independence as he worked two jobs, got a car and successfully sought scholarships for school.
Godspeed at school, son. Do good. You already have.
Love,
Dad (Padre)
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