Separation Anxiety

He's a teenager. You know what that means, don't you? He thinks he knows everything. He talks back. He throws tantrums. He doesn't do as well as he could in school. He wants me to do things for him then balks at the idea that he should return the favor. So, why should I miss him? Shouldn't I be glad that he's gone for the summer?
It might be easier if he hadn't started out like this.....

Remember your first baby? I mean, come on, look at us. Like a couple of kids with a new toy. Adam was a perfect baby. He rarely cried and slept through the night at one month. We were spoiled. The first day I had to go back to work, I cried all the way there. How could I leave this precious little boy with anyone else?

But, of course, they get older. They go to school, on sleep-overs, cub scout day camp, then week-long scout camp. You get used to them being gone, for a little while anyway.

When Adam told me he wanted to work at Camp Hunt this summer, at first I said, "No." I don't know why, for sure. Worry, I guess. But, Brother E. in our ward, who I totally respect and who works for the Scouts, assured me it would be a good experience for him and a great training for his mission. Well, that sealed it right there. I gave in and said he could go.
Now, he's gone and man, I miss him. It's dumb. I'll see him in two weeks when we go to our reunion and again in July for youth conference. But, I'm used to seeing him everyday. And, even though I started off with all the annoying things about being a teen, there are some serious perks, too. Like, his sense of humor. He's growing up, so he gets the kind of jokes that I do and he loves to laugh with me. Many times, he's eager to please and works really hard. It's fun watching your kids become adults, seeing them mature. His spiritual growth is amazing, too. When you hold that little baby in your arms, you don't think about how you'll hold your breath every Sunday when they bless the sacrament, knowing they aren't nearly as nervous as you are. You don't know how proud you'll be when they prepare a talk without your help and it's good. How emotional you'll get when they tell you they want to get their patriarchal blessing.

I talked to a mom who has two boys at Camp Hunt. She was so helpful. She told me that this won't just prepare Adam for his mission, it'll prepare me, too. Sending him off for the summer can't really compare to sending him away for two years, but if I can do this, maybe I'll be less of a basket case 2 1/2 years from now. If nothing else, maybe it'll make him appreciate us more. I know I'll appreciate him. I already do, and it's only been a week.