Leaving Home

My oldest son is leaving today. We are taking him to college.

Part of me thinks, how can that be? Isn't he just 5 or 6 years old?

Part of me thinks, he is ready.

Part of me wonders, how will I cope without him here? Without seeing him everyday? Without hearing his footsteps as he comes in late at night? (He's got a very busy social life...)

Will I panic if I don't hear from him? I won't know where he is all the time. He won't just be at school, or at work, or at his friends house.

He could be anywhere.

He'll never really live here again. He'll come home to visit. He'll never really live here again?

He'll never really live here again. Just visits. Brief times together. It will never be the same.

I'm a terrible worrier. He's promised to call everyday, or at least text.

He is a young man.

He is an adult.

I thought I had taught him good judgement. Except, once, this summer, he proved me wrong there.

Will he use his good judgement? Please, use your good judgement.

He is a strong and independent person. He is ready to leave home.

Will he be ok?

Yes, I think he will.

But will I?

He is my child. I love him so.