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Our book to read and discuss during September is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs. From the author's website:
"Linda Davis' local fabric shop is a place where women gather to share their creations: wedding quilts, baby quilts, memorial quilts, each bound tight with dreams, hopes and yearnings.
"Now, as her only child readies for college, Linda is torn between excitement for Molly and heartache for herself. Who will she be when she is no longer needed in her role as mom?
"As mother and daughter embark on a cross-country road trip to move Molly into her dorm, Linda pieces together the scraps that make up Molly's young life—the hem of a christening gown, a snippet from a Halloween costume. And in the stitching of each bit of fabric, Linda discovers that the memories of a shared journey can come together in a way that will keep them both warm in the years to come."
Have you ever sent a child to college, like Linda? Or were you the child who went to college, like Molly? How did you feel? Inquiring minds want to know! Answer in the comment section below. If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.
By commenting, you are entering you name in a give-away for a copy of The Double Wedding Ring by Clare O'Donohue, courtesy of Plume Books. There will be two lucky winners this month!
*******And the Winner for August is book club member lisa0116!*******
Lisa won a giveaway of a fabulous prize pack containing Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot (first three books of the Shenandoah Album Series) and Mountain Away, all by Emilie Richards - courtesy of Harlequin! Lisa, if you will email your mailing address to starwoodquilter@gmail.com, I will make sure that your books are shipped right out to you!
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.
I shed quiet tears when each of our three daughters left for college. I was happy for them, but aware that a part of my life was ending.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Lisa! I've driven two sons off to college now. A combination of excitement and sadness each time.
ReplyDeleteI don't have children...I was the child who left. When I moved from home to go 500 miles away (to Texas) with my boyfriend (now DH for 25 years as of 9/3), my father stood in the driveway and just cried and cried. I felt HORRIBLE!! I think I cried for the next 2 hours driving down the expressway wondering if I was doing the right thing!!
ReplyDeleteI went away to college, many years ago. Lived in New York, went to college in Ohio. Complete culture shock. My daughter is starting high school next week and I'm cherishing every single minute until she goes to college!
ReplyDeleteMy mom drove me to my college dorm. Her closing remark was, "If anyone had ever told her she would be taking me to college, she would have called them a damn liar". (I think that is the only time I ever heard my mother say that word). All of my children set off on their own for the states and a college adventure. My husband did surprise my second daughter by meeting up with her train from the west coast to Boston and riding part of the way. (he was in the States on business).
ReplyDeleteI have put 3 through college and my daughter has gone back for a Master's. I am sad every time they leave and happy when they move home.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Lisa. Enjoy the books.
ReplyDeleteI went off to college many, many years ago; I was really excited. My parents drove me and I don't remember how they/I acted. I also sent two sons away to college. I was excited for them and also sad to me.
Never had to take the kids to College but now the Granddaughters are both in different Colleges -4 hours away- they sure miss each other-can not wait to start this book.thank you for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!!! I won!!! Thank you very much Susan.
ReplyDeleteI lived at home and went to college 15 minutes away. My son lives at college 45 minutes away. He just started his 4th year. I was excited for him to go and grow into a young man. I was not sad at all. We recently had a discussion he and I. He came home to spend the night which is rare and he was so sad upon leaving. I asked him why and he told me that he thought I was sad he didn't come home more. Now, I have never given him that impression. So, we talked about it and I explained to him that he is where he is supposed to be in life and I am fine with that and to not be sad, thinking I am sad anymore. I don't know where those emotions came from either. My son goes to school full time and works part time. I explained to him in his free time he is to be studying and breathing. He needs down time too and that is not feeling guilty that he needs to come see mom. College life is enough stress without them worrying about their mom's at home. Besides, I can drive to see him whenever I want and I am in and out. I have a life I told him. LOL!
Congrats, Lisa. Such fun! Enjoy the books.
DeleteIn 1962 I was the one to go. My parents and younger sister drove me the five hours to what would be my temporary home for the next four years. I remember standing in a courtyard adjacent to the dorm and crying as we said our goodbyes. I so much wanted to get in the car with them!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter went to school about 45 minutes from home. Our only child, the separation was quite difficult for me. I remember sitting at the breakfast table in tears a few days after she left and telling my husband that I never thought it would be this hard when she left.
Next year, our granddaughter will leave. I wonder how far away it will be for her and what effect it will have on her parents, brother and sister. The way we communicate today via text, email and video I suspect it will not be quite so difficult.
The two eldest went away to college. Our daughter to Southern Ohio, about 4 hours away. #1 son we drove to FL. With both of them I had a flood of tears for most of the trip home. It was a mixture of emotions. I completely identified with Linda. It was a quick read, done in a day and a half. Loved it....but shed some tears....I won't lie.
ReplyDeleteI was one who left to go clear across the state. My parents took me and my mother sobbed all the way there and back. I only stayed one year and transferred to a college 30 miles from home. I sobbed when all 3 of my children were duly installed in their respective colleges, one in Texas and 2 in Ohio where I live. I was so thrilled for them and held it together until my husband and I got to the city limits and then let loose. It was rough. One of my grandsons attends the college where my oldest son teaches. The whole family escorted him to college and then we had a family reunion of sorts. We nearly had to hog tie his mother to get her in the car to come home.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Lisa. That's a great prize to win. As for going off to college. I don't have any children but after high school I stayed at home and went to community college (as it was called back then). Then I started working at the University (25 minutes from home) right after graduation. I didn't move out of the house (it was only mom and I) until I was 23. That was partly due to the fact that I was church organist and we lived next to the church so I would have been driving back home every week anyway. Finally mom and I both knew it was time for me to spread my wings. We were both ready for it and that's what telephones were invented for. LOL. Now I work at the same university (going on 26 years) and see all parents go through it. It also doesn't seem to matter if it is to Graduate School or to an undergraduate school....they still react the same. :) PS: I finally got my undergraduate degree at age 54 so never let anybody tell you it can't be done!
ReplyDeleteI went to college from a big city in AZ to a small one in CO, where it was -50* in the winter. Loved the whole culture shock & met my husband right away.
ReplyDeleteWe drove our 2 sons to college 1.5 hrs and 2+ hrs away. It was perfect-they came home for major holidays and we visited them other times. I was happy for them, but we didn't realize that when they first went to college, that they would not be living back home again. We were happy that they went right into their careers.
I lived at home for most of my college years. Our children went halfway across the country to go to school. They were near family and at our alama mater, so it was hard, but OK to let them go.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Lisa! Just took our youngest to college for her senior year yesterday! Much less traumatic than freshman year! Our house got bigger with each kid leaving for college or military and after a little while I loved it! I could come and go as I please and do what I wanted when I wanted! However with today's technology I think I talk to my kids more than when they lived at home!
ReplyDeleteI still have four years until my daughter goes to college ... Thank heavens! Mama's not ready yet!
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons has left home twice now - first to college. He came back every weekend so it wasn't too hard for him to be away during the week - and I got used to the huge pile of laundry that came home with him. The hardest parting was when he left home to move into his own place after getting a good job. He was ready to go... but Mum found the first few days hard... even though it is nice not to have so much laundry!! But it was time for him to go and I am glad for him that he has taken that step!
ReplyDeleteI have just lost my 18 yo son. So all I can say is to cherish every minute you spend with your children as our time with them is limited.
ReplyDelete