Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

When Your Child Goes Away to College

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Chelsea came home this weekend.

I met her at the train station we talked in the car about how things were going, and what was new, and about that boy she likes. Right before we got home I asked her what her plans were for the weekend.

… Let's just say I saw a blur, some brown curly hair blowing in and out the door. I know she was her by the chocolate chips cookies she made… or I should say by the crumbs of chocolate chip cookies she made.

Moral of the story:

 If they are happy then you are happier,  even with their crumbs.

Comments

36 responses to “When Your Child Goes Away to College”

  1. Linda C.

    Oh yes….

    Reply
  2. Miss Robyn

    yes, they grow up. Sophie my daughter is 21 in August. where did that time go?
    Corey, you sound a little lonely ~ so sending you some love xoxo

    Reply
  3. Katiebell

    Yes Corey, we are happiest when they are happy. Thanks for saying that. My son said the other day. There is no greater joy in the world then making someone happy. 🙂 🙂 🙂 They are brilliant aren’t they? ( and quick too)

    Reply
  4. jend’isère

    At least she likes to share her American side by baking the classic cookie.

    Reply
  5. Jeanne

    Amen
    I love you

    Reply
  6. julie

    Oh, I love this post Corey. Our oldest is away for her first year of college and I feel the very same way when she comes home. My heart is so full when I see her happy and pursuing new adventures.

    Reply
  7. Linda

    I’ve heard a saying…You are only as happy as your most unhappy child… for me, so true. It is true contentment to see my grown children happy…I have seen them go through some hard times…

    Reply
  8. Vicki

    This is the truth…I am so content when my children are happy!!

    Reply
  9. Evelyn

    Could not agree more. Everything is good when your kids are happy.

    Reply
  10. marlis

    My favorite saying is that a mother is only has happy as her least happy child.. so true..

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth Harper

    I know how hard it is to let them go. My daughter graduated about a year ago from Virginia Tech and it’s still difficult for me to remember sometimes that my 22 year old baby girl has her own adult life that is clearly separate from mine. It probably helps in some ways that we live in different countries now.

    Reply
  12. Penny

    How I remember those days. The phone would ring before they got home with friends checking in (they always knew) and a flurry of activity, laundry, late nights, and then, whoosh, gone again. Now they come and stay awhile, one close by, one an eight hour drive. I lure them by making their favorite foods, and, yes, there are often cookie crumbs.

    Reply
  13. Heather

    It was like that for our daughter’s first trip home from university this Xmas past. We barely saw her but we knew she was here because the supply of toilet paper decreased exponentially!

    Reply
  14. Yvonne

    Any parent with a child away knows this feeling. I love when my son is home even if most of the time is spent with his friends.

    Reply
  15. somepinkflowers

    sometimes
    it is the crumbs
    that
    are
    the
    sweetest ♥♥♥,
    n’est-ce pas?
    🙂

    Reply
  16. anne

    My eldest son joined the Royal Air Force 15 years ago , I can still remember the first weekend he was allowed to return home..He had only been gone a few weeks, and I did not recognise him. His hair was nearly shaved and he had bulked out…with all the training he been doing.
    I never had a daughter, so would never know the closeness. You don’t exactly have coffee shop trips or shopping days with boys!!

    Reply
  17. Marilyn

    Be happy, she is taking flight. Enjoy seeing your little bird grow into the beautiful woman you dreamt her to be. I often miss my little girl, but so happy that she is happy and cherished.

    Reply
  18. shelley

    I sometimes wonder if you’re at ‘home’ in France…lonely can happen anywhere.

    Reply
  19. Sally

    Sorry to be so late! Belated Happy Birthday wishes Corey!
    I’m sorry Chelsea was like the whirling dervish this visit … hopefully she not only left the crumbs but a tasty morsel for her mom as well! Certainly in mom’s heart, she did, huh?!
    Happy week to you!

    Reply
  20. Liz

    Three children away and one about to go. Always poignant work for the heart and soul to be done.
    Putting my head out of lurkdom to say hi, I love your blog, read it every day and loved your Motorbike Diaries of the summer.
    Liz

    Reply
  21. Sara

    I love when you post about your “grown” kids. Mine are so little, I like to think I will post such nice and caring things about them when they are grown. I love your “voice”, Corey.

    Reply
  22. cynthia Wolff

    I am childless…

    Reply
  23. Jeni

    My second son, 18 choose to go all the way across country to college. Portland, Or is a cool town, but way too far away.(I did encourage him to be independent, but hey I didn’t know!) When I call him up, and he actually answers his phone, with, Hey Mom, whats up? My heart jumps to hear his voice telling me all (some) of the details of the fun he has been having, or about classes. He usually signs off with “got to go,Love you”, I hear the happiness in his voice and the busy whirl of life, knowing his happiness is my happiness!!

    Reply
  24. Jackie

    Corey, Firsly, happy birthday! Second, I love all the stories about your kids, when they were young, current stories about their teen years, heck I just like ’em all.
    Jackie

    Reply
  25. Marcia

    So true, so true!

    Reply
  26. Monica Conner

    It is amazing how we find ourselves treasuring those crumbs… I get teary when I think of my wonderful boys, now both away at college. Thanks for sharing Corey.

    Reply
  27. Shelley Noble

    A perfect perfect post, Corey. PS. Chelsea’s bag has such style!

    Reply
  28. 1eyedmonkee

    get out the dustbuster! just kidding. been making these kinds of adjustments since the man-child moved to LA. loved it when he was in town on business a few weeks ago – even if he worked a gazillion hours while he was here and we barely saw him. once the grieving part abated a bit – i began to be able to appreciate some things that have been a long time coming…like sleeping more soundly because I’m not expecting someone coming in at all hours OR my selfish favorite…is having the remote ALL TO MYSELF! Miss him like crazy but knowing he’s happy and belongs there with someone who loves him very much…I’d never want him back!

    Reply
  29. Linda

    Dear Corey,
    How very happy you must be to see your children so happy. I read your blog daily and enjoy it thoroughly. I am very sad right now. I raised two beautiful children, a daughter and a son. My daughter is doing very well – good marriage, two children, good career, completely fulfilled. My son (25 year old) on the other hand never finished college, is employed only part-time and refuses to leave home. Now when I ask him to do some handy work around the house, he becomes verbally abusive. I don’t know where to turn. Please pray for me.

    Reply
  30. yvonne rosenfield

    Being a Mom is rough,
    Crying the first day of school, crying as the summer camp bus pulls out. Crying when
    they get their first apartment.First car.
    The goodbyes are there but the hello kiss
    is the best.. I am waiting for my next Hello kiss.
    yvonne

    Reply
  31. Patt

    Our youngest daughter lives in Syracuse NY. We live in CA. After years of in and out for college, Vetrinary school in a far away country, christmas, summers, I thought I would be happy for her to finally settle down and take all of her belongings with her. they were in every crevas of our house. Finally room for our stuff………..Miss her, wish her stuff was still here, that would mean she would not be far to follow. It is nice to have our oldest daughter and grandchildren two doors down. Someday my youngest child will find her way back, somewhere close to home. We do talk on the phone almost everyday. I would settle for a few crumbs.

    Reply
  32. Dixie

    Corey… my baby is in college in Dallas… we live near San Antonio. Her beau lives here and goes to school in Austin… she’ll be home for valentines… guess I’ll be getting a few snickerdoodle crumbs myself… but you’re right… MOM is always the one she calls to tell her secrets to… and the beau… he gets the rest… but I’m happy to settle for the crumbs… poetic as ever…and so graciously said…. blessings. Dixie

    Reply
  33. The Brocantess

    I know the scenario well! I hope that you were able to spend a bit of time with her in between all the social engagements 🙂

    Reply
  34. sandy

    You couldn’t be more correct with that statement. It sure is lonely w/o them here. I have four children. I never knew how quiet it could be here. Our house used to be where all the kids gathered. All that cooking…..I still have all those big cooking pans and it seems I can’t learn how to cook for 1 or 2, so I don’t bother. It sure is lonely here.

    Reply
  35. annieelf

    I find that the least little morsel of conversation, especially with my far away son, more than fills me up. I’m so lucky to get my regular Krista fix with a mommy-me day. I’ll bet the cookie crumbs were delicioius.

    Reply
  36. Beverly

    So true, so true.
    And we’re happy to bask in their crumbs, aren’t we!

    Reply

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