Dear_Sis@the_end_of_my_day.calm©
Two sisters and their friends, share the joys of Larchmont motherhood through E-mail.

by Val Estabrook

Date: 11-21-02
Send To: Barbara
CC: Kim, Ann
From : Val
Subject: All this pain may be over far too quickly

And you’re right. College search is staggering in scope and cost. (See $$$) Pressure these days. College applications. Early Decision. Early Action. Rolling. Wait-listed. Deferred. Accepted. Rejected…words causing palpitations. My friends’ daughters are fretting. My friends’ sons are in denial. All this effort. All this searching, fighting, crying .

But I fear this pain will be over far too quickly.

Why rush good-byes to my baby boy? Future holds bright new vistas, but I long for the old neighborhood…for the little boy, arms stretched up to me, saying he’ll never leave home…for the little bit bigger boy saying he’ll move out one day but not to worry, Mommy, “I’ll build a house right next door and we can open windows and lean out and talk to each other”…and for the adolescent boy enjoying new freedoms, gross jokes and Dad. Today I’ve got this teenager who’s not talking to me through a window or across a dinner table…Kyle counting the days till he’s outa this prison, in college, running his own damn life.

I will miss my handsome son. Heart already aching at sight of any 3yr old running into his mother’s arms. For now I’ll try to enjoy this time in Kyle’s life still so deeply entwined in ours. He needs to be separate from me, and yet protected, part of the family. He tells us so everyday in differing ways. He’s not bashful giving girlfriend big o’l hug (right in front of me)…or parents a hug and kiss when he turns in each night.

I no longer believe Kyle will build his dream house next door to his mama’s. But I do believe we are connected forever and I do believe in him and I wonder what the future will bring.

XO Val

Date: 11-21-02
Send To: All
From : Val
Subject: Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving

Big group of us getting together for the holiday…I’m to bring soup. Picking up some of that lovely pumpkin soup Meateria makes this time of year. Holiday Hint: add raw shavings from your forgotten, wilting Halloween pumpkin...maybe a stray seed or two…friends will be sure you made the soup from scratch. Trust me.

And hey…your calendar is correct…Hanukkah is EARLY this year. Last week the holidays seemed miles away…now…well, I’m just not ready. How ‘bout you, girl? Happy Hanukkah!

Would you like to share thoughts on kids, the holidays and the college process? Love to hear from you at val@larchmontgazette.com. Just click on the blue!

XO Val

Val and Kim Illustrations by Larchmont artist Sue Girardi

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