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The younger son left for the start of college a couple of months ago. His departure has made our home officially an empty nest.
No. 1 son graduated college and moved out of the house last year.
With the departure of son No. 2, it means we no longer have to worry about:
• Lights needlessly being left on in rooms, especially when no one is there.
• Turning down the thermostat in his room during the winter. I swear, tropical plants were thriving in there.
• Overflowing garbage.
• The boy spores he left in the shower.
• The hair products, colognes and various other cleansers that crowded the bathroom sink.
• Finding empty boxes of food left behind in cabinets.
• Staying up late at night waiting for him to return home.
• Trying to figure out when he will be home for dinner so we can eat together as a family.
• Seeing empty bottles of water pile up in his room like some weird modern art exhibit.
• Waiting to get into the shower and then discovering that most of the hot water has been used.
But guess what? I’m going to miss him not being around.
I will miss:
• Learning a thing or three about colorful cussing.
• His endlessly entertaining, richly detailed, hilarious accounts about his encounters working with the public. What a story-teller!
• Watching up-close as he interacted with his wide circle of friends, supporting them, enjoying their company and being there for them.
• His snarky sense of humor. When I complained that he blocked me from following him on Twitter, I was told: “I block with love, Padre.”
• That he calls me “Padre.”
• Watching him grow into his independence as he worked two jobs, got a car and successfully sought scholarships for school.
Godspeed at school, son. Do good. You already have.
Love, Dad (Padre)
