Preparing for college isn't easy

Luckily he is an excellent student and has already received early entry and scholarships to the school he wants to attend. But we had to reserve his spot in the freshman class (a mere $100), apply for local scholarships (this included an essay and lots of forms), apply for a scholarship with his fathers referee association, send in a housing reservation (only $300), attend a scholarship reception and set up an orientation session. And, it's only February.

At the same time, he has been fortunate enough to be able to take part in the DePauw Alpha program and take classes on their campus. It's a great deal but that's another $200 plus $100 for books.

Our next big hurdle is the FAFSA process. I admit that is one I'm not looking forward to.

It means we have to do our taxes early or at least estimate them. Normally, this would be no big deal but because we have a small craft business on the side I have to get all that information together. and, it seems I have misplaced my flash drive with all the data on it and now I have to recreate it. Before March 1.

Once we get that done we have to chose a meal plan, decide on courses and start the lists of what to take to school.

It's good that we have so much to do preparing for college and finishing up his senior year but it worries me more than a little that when all is said and done and he is safely ensconced in his new dorm room on campus, I will have to face the fact that for the first time in 30 years I won't have any children at home.

On the one hand, we'll save a lot of money on groceries, our water bill will surely go down and our house won't need to be cleaned as often. I won't open my wallet to find that $5 or $10 gone.

There won't be music blaring from the basement at 10 or 11 p.m. Cars won't be coming and going and there won't be many pick-up basketball games. We can have the remote to the big television back. We can move the futon from his room back into the sitting area.

On the other hand, we'll have to start mowing the yard and walking the dog every night. And, how will our cat and dog adjust to their buddy being gone for weeks at a time.

I'm going to miss the sound of that "Hey, Mom" everyday.

And, I would gladly buy more groceries, clean up more messes and listen to Bob Dillon blasting from the basement if I could have one more year to appreciate what a wonderfully, remarkable man my son has become.

I'm sure all parents feel this way. I know when my daughters went away to school our house felt awfully empty but my son was still there to fill it with his noise and friends.

I don't think I'm going to like the quiet this time. I hope he is prepared to be understanding and kind when his mother calls him every day for a while just to hear him say "Hey Mom."