Pushing on a Rope
Terri S. Vanech
Life lessons from the dorm
Catherine is impressing us with her transition to college. Nearly two weeks in at Hofstra U, she’s having some fun, getting her work done, making new friends and figuring things out. She called yesterday — the first time to really have a conversation and not simply ask for something she forgot to pack. She is … Continue reading
Throwback Thursday — 21 Years and Counting
Twenty-one years ago, we were looking out the window at sheets of rain and trying to make the best of it. “Showers of happiness,” everyone said. Indeed. There has been much happiness — and too many laughs to count — in the time since. More than enough to get through the dips in the road. Happy … Continue reading
She’s There. We’re Here. Get Used to it.
Lots of folks are checking in on us these last few days, wanting to know how the transition to “empty nest” is going. It’s too soon yet to have a good answer. At the moment, it’s surreal. I’m glad we have a long weekend to start to process it all because it will surely be … Continue reading
Life as We Knew It
Well, the big day is here. This morning, we deliver Catherine and the 3,000 things she had to have to Hofstra University. Everyone else is sleeping. I’ve been up since 4:45, head pounding from clenching my teeth all night, trying my darndest to program “stoic” in to my emotional framework for the day — if … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Remembering Nick
Flashback today to 1988 and a belated birthday nod to my late father-in-law, Nick, who would have been 96 yesterday. These photos were taken at the Tod’s Point beach barbecue that marked Nick’s 70th birthday. It was a helluva day — a great gathering of family, friends and food, just the sort of thing that … Continue reading
No Shoe Loose Here
It’s fascinating to see how Catherine’s mind works and where her priorities lie. For all our similarities she remains very much her own person. Case in point: Most of the summer, she’s turned a deaf ear to my, er, suggestions that perhaps some laundry and early packing efforts are in order as dorm move-in day nears. So … Continue reading
Flashing Back and Making Memories
Less than two weeks til dorm move-in day at Hofstra and the emotions continue to ratchet up here in the house. Lots of excitement, a fair bit of anxiousness, all tinged with a pressing sense of “holy cow, we’d better get our acts together and finish all those things we were going to do.” Although we’re … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 