Applications for college and scholarships consume our days lately. As a mother
of three with one about to leave the nest, I find myself trying to savor these last few
months with my family, as I currently know it. You know how you can’t remember life
before your first child was born and then along comes the next one and you can’t
remember what life was like when you only had one child? And then the same thing
happens with your next one! Thinking about the exodus soon to occur in my household
fills me with excitement and pride, dread and deep sadness.
I walk by her room and sometimes stop to consider the many things within its walls that have become a shrine to her life- homecoming mums, her favorite books, her rock collection and awards for her achievements. Other times I think about the additional guest room I will soon have and how I might rearrange it to better suit my style. Each day draws us nearer to the thing we are working so hard to achieve.
Juggling the extensive process involved in just going to college these days is
almost a full time job. Really, I don’t know how kids without at least a hint of
parental involvement get it done. You hear so much hype about preparing for the
SAT/ACT- you need to take it more than once and if you can afford it you should
take a prep course to improve your chances at a better score.
Taking the test is the easy part! Filling out the extensive applications and writing great essays is the killer. And don’t forget about your log that shows your millions of hours of
community service demonstrating that you are worthy to attend the college you
desire. We have spent hours upon hours gathering and submitting all of the
necessary items for college applying. Did I mention that I have two other children?
I am a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle. My focus on the college prize for my eldest child has definitely left me spread thinly for my remaining two. I am not as available as I would like to be for homework help and nighttime reading. Indeed, we have had more freezer meals of late, as well.
Nonetheless, no one seems terribly worse for wear and in need of serious therapy yet. It is somewhat like when they were in diapers and I knew that someday they would be potty trained but each time I went to the store to buy a new box of diapers I dreaded it. I couldn’t wait for them to be in big kid underwear but as soon as they started I realized that they weren’t really babies anymore -so bittersweet. I know that I will have to go through this stage of development with each of them. Each time they complete a college application, I understand that it is the next step in their growth. I have to tell you
that I am dreading/looking forward to the first college acceptance letter.
Bittersweet.
