He's gone

Eldest Son packed his car yesterday and headed off for the great unknown. Well, not really, but it sounds more dramatic to write it that way.

Before the final departure of our first nestling to venture forth, Child #4 had found an old video that was truly a treasure trove of assorted family memories: everything from martial arts competition to family vacation to an unfinished drama (we'll never know if the two siblings lost in the wind storm were ever found by the heroic forest rangers) and a hilarious comedy ("Two Utter Morons Attempt to Steal a Car"). Eldest Son was much younger then. Of course, so were all his siblings. Watching all that, particularly yesterday, gave me a lump in my throat.

This new phase of life hasn't really hit me yet. Although, last night when we sat down for dinner, I suddenly felt a rush of sadness. There was an empty chair at the table. We were not being serenaded by some playlist of music because Eldest Son's laptop was no longer connected to our stereo. The dinner conversation seemed much quieter and more subdued.

It's a good thing he's planning to return for a visit in a couple weeks!