One less in the nest

**coacha** · 08-05-2009, 10:05 AM

Our recently graduated son left at 5:45 a.m. today on his road trip to college. He is on the road to Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK from just north of Tampa, FL. The college is located about 1 1/2 hours north of Amarillo, TX and basically in the middle of no where. One of his buddies is riding out with him and flying back this weekend so he wouldn't have to go by himself.

Tammy and I are a little down but we are grateful that he is pursuing his dream of playing college football and working toward a degree in animal science. Jake is a good boy with a kind heart and great disposition. We will miss him but we know he will do fine.

We had our hugs and last words of caution and encouragement and sent him on his way. Last time I talked to him they were in Georgia, somewhere north of Valdosta.

pirate · 08-05-2009, 10:19 AM

Coach, this is ironic that you posted this. I've been at home with our little girl this summer while school is out, and I was just playing with her this morning and I thought to myself, "I'm going to blink and she'll be going off to college." I've been blessed to be home with her this summer, but school starts in two weeks and those first couple days are going to be hard going to work in the morning. She turns five months old on Friday.
Kudos on raising a fine son. I hope I can be a good father as well.

cactusjack · 08-05-2009, 10:22 AM

Our 25 year old son just moved out of our house 2 weeks ago. That leaves our youngest, an 18 year old. He claims he plans to move out in October, although I'm not holding my breath.

NRiderUSA · 08-05-2009, 10:41 AM

when I enlisted back in 72 my mom dropped me off at the AFEEs station and was crying. My dad told me when she would make dinner for the next couple weeks she would automatically put baked potatoes in for all of us out of habit and start crying when she realized I wasnt there.
Time flies toooooo fast when it comes to your kids. I know our daughter was just learning to ride a bike seems like last week in my memory.... she has 2 daughters now ....I blinked.

**trip** · 08-05-2009, 10:57 AM

Nothing like watching your kids become independent, CoachA.

I shoved the last kid out the door for college 5 years ago this month.

My wife and I took our youngest from Lindale, TX to St. Louis, MO. for college in 2004. We helped moved him into his dorm and then said our goodbyes. He was the star pitcher on the baseball team all four years he attended there. He got into Webster University on a partial baseball scholarship. They went to the NCAA championships three out of the four years he was there. He graduated last year and is now married, living in St. Louis.

Although I have gained a daughter-in-law, I tear up occasionally, because I miss hanging out with him. He and I loved going to the movies.

My first two went to college rather close to home. All three have been out of the nest for years now. My wife and I went through an adjustment period... all your focus and energy is on your kids.....and then one day, they're all gone.

Todd · 08-05-2009, 12:18 PM

OK...ya'll are killing me here........my daughter starts her senior year of high school this year and son is a sophomore. I look forward to them being able to get out and start their own lives, but dread not seeing them all the time and being a part of their everyday.

Congrats Coach....he will do just fine with foundation he has.

btw..you and I talked about him some at the National....my son started practice on the JV squad for 1 1/2 days and they moved him to varsity ....... maybe less playing time, but I think the experience will pay off if he is able to play varsity football 3 years and hopefully baseball too.

**coacha** · 08-05-2009, 12:28 PM

Todd, you are going to be the crying Bumblebee when your daughter leaves, I promise that.

That is great about your son moving up to varsity. I'm sure he will be inspired by the move up and his interest will remain strong. My junior son, just weighed in at 290 at 6' 6" yesterday...makes the one that left look like a dwarf at only 6' 4" 265...if you can call that a dwarf.

Todd · 08-05-2009, 01:19 PM

6'6" @290 beats me..............I ain't messin' with that manchild.............and he's in shape!!!

...and yes, I will be sad to see them both go...but the daughter will be rough...already is as she finds her independence more and more each day.

audiogooroo · 08-05-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachA

Todd, you are going to be the crying Bumblebee when your daughter leaves, I promise that.

That is great about your son moving up to varsity. I'm sure he will be inspired by the move up and his interest will remain strong. My junior son, just weighed in at 290 at 6' 6" yesterday...makes the one that left look like a dwarf at only 6' 4" 265...if you can call that a dwarf.

Dang Coach! You're raising up boys that are big enough to eat hay!
My two older boys have been out of the house for a few years, but my youngest is just starting his senior year in high school, so I'm almost done. It was difficult to drop them off for college in another city though.

Yellow Jacket · 08-05-2009, 02:06 PM

In 15 days (August 20) we leave for Pittsburgh, PA. with our youngest girl (She's the one in my Avatar photo.) We will be coming home without her as she's starting college. She's the last of four, two older boys and the two younger girls. Her sister is in Pittsburgh already, having finished Veterinary Tech. school there.

Our nest will finally be empty for the first time in 41 years.

I know your feeling CoachA.

Man, it's tough.

**coacha** · 08-05-2009, 07:36 PM

Hey Todd...is round a shape? Why yes it is, lol.

Bob, Tammy and I were discussing what it will be like in about 8 or 9 years when that is our situation...I will be moving to a much smaller house with a bigger garage then!

lw · 08-06-2009, 01:41 AM

Sooo from what I'm hearing the stress of the baby daughter who I rocked to sleep seemingly only weeks ago starting drivers ed this summer ain't nuthin' (even though it was); and that the time that I thought began passing exponentially when she was born will seem to have been sundial-slow as the calendar pages of the next three years fly off like litter in a tornado. . . :-/
OK as long as I know what to expect. :-[

No really, I can take it. . . :'(

**coacha** · 08-06-2009, 01:53 PM

LW, you are going to be a sobbing baby when she goes brother. Even though I could hardly reach around my boy and only come up to his shoulder, I still gave him a big hug and shed a few tears yesterday.

He is in OK right now speading some time with a friend that lives out there. He reports to school tomorrow.

waterman · 08-06-2009, 05:30 PM

Coach, it gets better with time. Just remember, if you raised them right everything will be OK (not Oklahoma). After a while you realize the new freedoms. No worrying about where the kids are when you are gone, so on and so forth.

**coacha** · 08-06-2009, 08:23 PM

I have much more faith in him doing the right things than my oldest when he left...I had a sense he would have issues and did. With this one, I think he will be fine. Just gonna take some time, like you said Waterman, to get used to not seeing (he took up a lot of space you know) and hearing him around the house.

08-05-2009, 10:05 AM	#1
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	One less in the nest Our recently graduated son left at 5:45 a.m. today on his road trip to college. He is on the road to Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK from just north of Tampa, FL. The college is located about 1 1/2 hours north of Amarillo, TX and basically in the middle of no where. One of his buddies is riding out with him and flying back this weekend so he wouldn't have to go by himself. Tammy and I are a little down but we are grateful that he is pursuing his dream of playing college football and working toward a degree in animal science. Jake is a good boy with a kind heart and great disposition. We will miss him but we know he will do fine. We had our hugs and last words of caution and encouragement and sent him on his way. Last time I talked to him they were in Georgia, somewhere north of Valdosta. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-05-2009, 10:19 AM	#2
pirate Sr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,865	One less in the nest Coach, this is ironic that you posted this. I've been at home with our little girl this summer while school is out, and I was just playing with her this morning and I thought to myself, "I'm going to blink and she'll be going off to college." I've been blessed to be home with her this summer, but school starts in two weeks and those first couple days are going to be hard going to work in the morning. She turns five months old on Friday. Kudos on raising a fine son. I hope I can be a good father as well.
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08-05-2009, 10:22 AM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	One less in the nest Our 25 year old son just moved out of our house 2 weeks ago. That leaves our youngest, an 18 year old. He claims he plans to move out in October, although I'm not holding my breath. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-05-2009, 10:41 AM	#4
NRiderUSA Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,781	One less in the nest when I enlisted back in 72 my mom dropped me off at the AFEEs station and was crying. My dad told me when she would make dinner for the next couple weeks she would automatically put baked potatoes in for all of us out of habit and start crying when she realized I wasnt there. Time flies toooooo fast when it comes to your kids. I know our daughter was just learning to ride a bike seems like last week in my memory.... she has 2 daughters now ....I blinked. __________________ NRiderUSA "Rick" "In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." 1946 George Orwell
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08-05-2009, 10:57 AM	#5
trip VBA Founder Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lindale, Texas Posts: 6,846	One less in the nest Nothing like watching your kids become independent, CoachA. I shoved the last kid out the door for college 5 years ago this month. My wife and I took our youngest from Lindale, TX to St. Louis, MO. for college in 2004. We helped moved him into his dorm and then said our goodbyes. He was the star pitcher on the baseball team all four years he attended there. He got into Webster University on a partial baseball scholarship. They went to the NCAA championships three out of the four years he was there. He graduated last year and is now married, living in St. Louis. Although I have gained a daughter-in-law, I tear up occasionally, because I miss hanging out with him. He and I loved going to the movies. My first two went to college rather close to home. All three have been out of the nest for years now. My wife and I went through an adjustment period... all your focus and energy is on your kids.....and then one day, they're all gone. __________________ Robert "Trip" Hilliard VBA/KawaNOW - Founder/Past President VBA # 00001 Trip's Website Custer 09, 18 / Maggie Valley 11 / Eureka Springs 09, 17 / Antlers 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Texas Hill Country / Deals Gap / Colorado / Wyoming / Montana / Utah / More trips for Trip Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-05-2009, 12:18 PM	#6
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	One less in the nest OK...ya'll are killing me here........my daughter starts her senior year of high school this year and son is a sophomore. I look forward to them being able to get out and start their own lives, but dread not seeing them all the time and being a part of their everyday. Congrats Coach....he will do just fine with foundation he has. btw..you and I talked about him some at the National....my son started practice on the JV squad for 1 1/2 days and they moved him to varsity ....... maybe less playing time, but I think the experience will pay off if he is able to play varsity football 3 years and hopefully baseball too. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
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08-05-2009, 12:28 PM	#7
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	One less in the nest Todd, you are going to be the crying Bumblebee when your daughter leaves, I promise that. That is great about your son moving up to varsity. I'm sure he will be inspired by the move up and his interest will remain strong. My junior son, just weighed in at 290 at 6' 6" yesterday...makes the one that left look like a dwarf at only 6' 4" 265...if you can call that a dwarf. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-05-2009, 01:19 PM	#8
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	One less in the nest 6'6" @290 beats me..............I ain't messin' with that manchild.............and he's in shape!!! ...and yes, I will be sad to see them both go...but the daughter will be rough...already is as she finds her independence more and more each day. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC
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08-05-2009, 02:06 PM	#10
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	One less in the nest In 15 days (August 20) we leave for Pittsburgh, PA. with our youngest girl (She's the one in my Avatar photo.) We will be coming home without her as she's starting college. She's the last of four, two older boys and the two younger girls. Her sister is in Pittsburgh already, having finished Veterinary Tech. school there. Our nest will finally be empty for the first time in 41 years. I know your feeling CoachA. Man, it's tough. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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08-05-2009, 07:36 PM	#11
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	One less in the nest Hey Todd...is round a shape? Why yes it is, lol. Bob, Tammy and I were discussing what it will be like in about 8 or 9 years when that is our situation...I will be moving to a much smaller house with a bigger garage then! __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-06-2009, 01:41 AM	#12
lw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 2,117	One less in the nest Sooo from what I'm hearing the stress of the baby daughter who I rocked to sleep seemingly only weeks ago starting drivers ed this summer ain't nuthin' (even though it was); and that the time that I thought began passing exponentially when she was born will seem to have been sundial-slow as the calendar pages of the next three years fly off like litter in a tornado. . . :-/ OK as long as I know what to expect. :-[ No really, I can take it. . . :'(
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08-06-2009, 01:53 PM	#13
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	One less in the nest LW, you are going to be a sobbing baby when she goes brother. Even though I could hardly reach around my boy and only come up to his shoulder, I still gave him a big hug and shed a few tears yesterday. He is in OK right now speading some time with a friend that lives out there. He reports to school tomorrow. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-06-2009, 05:30 PM	#14
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	One less in the nest Coach, it gets better with time. Just remember, if you raised them right everything will be OK (not Oklahoma). After a while you realize the new freedoms. No worrying about where the kids are when you are gone, so on and so forth. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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08-06-2009, 08:23 PM	#15
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	One less in the nest I have much more faith in him doing the right things than my oldest when he left...I had a sense he would have issues and did. With this one, I think he will be fine. Just gonna take some time, like you said Waterman, to get used to not seeing (he took up a lot of space you know) and hearing him around the house. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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