Waiting...

He-who-claims-he-is-usually-ignored (my DH; let's call him "Athos") and I have been tied to the phone since mid-afternoon.  See, Youngest Son ("Squidboy") has gone off to boot camp, and should be calling this evening to let us know he's arrived.  It'll be the last time we'll get to hear his voice until 3 to 4 weeks into his training.  This separation is not going to be easy on those of us he's left behind.

Oldest Son ("Technogeek") still lives at home, and probably will until he finishes his post-secondary education and finds a full-time job with which to support himself.  The economy being what it is these days, that could take awhile, and there's no reason to waste money he doesn't have.  He gets free rent; we get tech support and computer maintenance out of the deal.  How cool is that?

So Squidboy's leaving home is a HUGE change for us.  Once he graduates from boot camp around the end of the year, he'll be sent halfway across the country for his military "A" schools.  After that, he'll be posted who-knows-where.

It's strange how we can spend so much time waiting for our children to grow up and become self-sufficient, yet be completely unready for it when it finally happens....

Right now I'd give my eyeteeth for him to call and ask me how to cook canned soup just one more time.  (He did that once when he was younger.  Called me at work and pulled me off a production line to get instructions, rather than taking the time to read the back of the can.)

Squidboy's got a good head on his shoulders and is quite capable of taking care of himself.    We're very proud to be able to claim him as our son.  But that won't keep me from worrying about him.

Note: Those few readers who have been here before might notice that my husband's pseudonym has changed.  He was afraid people might get the wrong idea about him from the other one.  His wish is my command!  Mostly.....