Mom and Dustin are driving me crazy. Every time he walks past, Dustin stops, rubs my fur then Mom starts snapping pictures.
Enough already! I was snoozing and you woke me up.
Go away.
Then Mom started crying. She said Dustin has been offered a big important job far, far away from home. They are in contract negotiations and if he accepts, he will live close to Des Monies, Iowa for three long, cold years. It is 700 miles northwest from us. Reese, my other brother, is 450 miles east from home. Joshua, my biggest brother is 1 1/2 hours away which isn't as far but seems so to Mom. Dustin, sometimes he is happy, sometimes he is sad.
Now I am sad.
Mom said we need to do something special before he leaves. However, it will involve me riding in the CAR!!!
I HATE THE CAR!!! IT MOVES FAST, IS SCARY AND MAKES ME SICK!
 |
| Bleah! |
Everybody kept encouraging me by saying, "Don't throw up, don't throw up. The top-secret destination is only two miles away. Be brave!" It was a long five-minute ride but I made it.
Mom could not take pictures with her camera inside the building because of their company policy. The people were surprised to see me and tried to make me feel welcomed. It didn't work. I was not happy. They set me up on a table with Dustin holding me tightly. I braced for a rabies shot but instead, the man in the back of the room said "Smile". I didn't move. Then he said "Cheese" and I yawned. Next, he began to bark and I laughed. (I don't think he realized what he was saying in doggy language.) Suddenly a bright light flashed in my eyes and everyone cheered. He said, "Got it" and we left.
"You never know how good you look until you've had your picture took."
Said my Granddaddy, whenever he picked up a camera.
I think I am quite handsome.
Oh, I'm so happy/sad for you, Jeannie! I hope this is the right job for Dustin, and if so, he gets it worked out the way he wants! I'm sorry it's so far away. However, 350 miles is very close by plane, and a day's journey by car..... I'm glad you have been able to enjoy his company for a while during his job search. When would he start, if he accepts the job?
ReplyDeleteOh Becky, it is 700! miles to the northwest and Reese is 450 miles in the opposite direction to the east! SO FAR AWAY! If he accepts, he will leave the first of next week because his starting date is my birthday, October 29th. It is tearing my heart out. This happens every time one of them leaves home.
DeleteIt's farther than I thought. I'm sorry. Keep that plane in mind!
DeleteIt's ok. It really feels like a million miles to me.
DeleteWhat a sweet photo! And your boys will always come back home -- you've raised them to value family. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Margaret, they will call and eventually visit, but they are so far away. Coming home to sit and chat will be rare. No more passing each other and stopping to talk.
DeleteYou would think I could get accustomed to them leaving home since they have all done it so many times before, but it doesn't get any easier.
For Dustin this new job could be the beginning of a great career. But I understand that you and the other members of the family are very very sad because Iowa is so far away. But being connected by all modern ways of communication like the internet and so on is a comfort, not so
ReplyDeletesmall. Our great-parents were not so lucky. Saying farewell to a loved child for a while always
lets a mother cry. It MUST be this way. Do not try to be strong. Tears are a sign of love. When
you all meet together again - maybe in a few months- there will be a lot of news to tell about.
Christel
What a fantastic photo! Sending good thoughts that you find a way to navigate these changes with strength and courage. The asters on the mantle are lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Scooter is going to be an only child. I have something wrong with me because I never had empty nest syndrome. I was offering them extra pot and pans, pyrex ware and mixing bowls as they went out the door. That's an awesome picture and really does belong on the mantle!
ReplyDeleteOh, my mother heart breaks for you! My son is up in Michigan, and here I am in Tennessee! He is twelve hours away by car, and I cried and cried when he left, even though he was going to a wonderful school on a full scholarship and I was very happy for him. He does FaceTime me often—maybe you can FaceTime or Skype with your sons—it is frugal because it is free, and it really does help so much when you can SEE them while you are talking. Sometimes we even place the computer on the table in his old spot and “eat” together!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping he will have internet in his apartment so we can Skype. My other son Reese is in an apartment that does not have affordable internet. We have only spoken on the phone and it seems like he has been gone forever. All three sons are going in opposite directions far away from us. It is very hard.
DeleteThank you for understanding
Sweet photo!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Mama! It's hard for those birdies to leave the nest, but it has to happen.
I have children that are not so far away and they get so busy that they might as well be 700 miles away for all we see and hear of them sometimes. (But it does make holidays easier.)
FACETIME app. A friend of ours has it due to her 4 kids (all medical students/doctors) are so far from home
ReplyDelete