Apron Strings

Well both my boys (men) left yesterday for a ten week job working (if you can call it that) at a wonderful boys Camp in New Hampshire. Where Brady will be leading hiking expeditions in the White Mountains and Jared will be working with the campers on their fishing skills on Lake Winnipesaukee. This week and the weeks leading up to these I have had so much anxiety knowing that they will be away for sooo long...yes believe it or not I have NEVER been 10 weeks without seeing ANY of my children. I KNOW they are having NONE of the same anxieties that I am experiencing but I feel like I had to go over the "Things to bring to Camp" published for the children of the camp but secretly in my own mind, I was actually washing and packing their clothes...How many pairs of socks, underwear, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts..(Well you know the drill). Brady and Jared were like "MOM, don't worry about it...we know what we are doing...like you have never even made it to the top of Hanging Rock....How do you know what I need for a four day hike?" I so annoy them...but I have no idea how to STOP!! Is there a pill that you can take that keeps you from worrying about your boys....(NOTE: I do not have this same anxiety about Kathy....and she is a girl. What gives there?)

Brady left me a note to make sure I knew they were leaving...Jared left me his cat to take care of, Brady left his Dog with his girlfriend,..But to speak for his concern Brady left a note that did include that he "might" miss me...(lol) and told me to make sure I take care of Manda, now Manda and I are both sitting around sad because we miss him so much.

Jared is a completely different story...I am used to seeing him at least once or twice a week, doing his laundry and occasionally dropping over to his apartment with groceries and cleaning supplies, basically keeping up with him on a daily basis...He did not leave a note but he did leave me a check to deposit into his account.. YEA he needed me! He left me with strict instructions about the cat, he is afraid I am going to make him fat....(like me!) I texted him to tell him that his cat was actually getting on the couch with me and he returned the text expressing how much better he felt to know that the CAT was ok....What about MOM!!! But this is my plan for feeding my Jareditis, I will go over and clean his apartment, his smell is there and it will make him soooo happy when he gets home.

But ironically in the middle of all this worry and pity for myself, I was reminded that My own Sister sent her 19 year old to Nicaragua for two years and she will not be able to touch him or even get phone calls. That my Cousin's son is now in the military and she really doesn't know if he is safe. That translates to no hugs and kisses for years....I feel so guilty because I have it so good and my children are so close to me. God bless the Mothers who are REALLY separated from their "boys"... I love you Brady and Jared...Have a GREAT SUMMER TOGETHER AS BROTHERS!!!