When August came home from school last spring, they filled my living room with boxes of college stuff. You know how it goes… kids go away and accumulate and then when they come home, they bring their accumulations with them!

Because our house is tiny and my kids’ rooms are tiny, there was no place for August to stash their stuff in their bedroom. So for the past 3 months, I have had boxes and bags in my living room. Even when August returned to Ithaca in July to do research, they left most of their belongings here. They were going to have to move twice, so it made sense.

Last weekend, August finally moved into their room for the school year. Did I mention they got an RA position? So they are on the 12th floor of East Tower. And now that they are in their room, it was time to finally get their stuff OUT of my living room.

A few weeks ago, Mike and I made plans to take the load of stuff up to Ithaca today. Mike took time off this week and it was all planned. Then, while discussing our impending arrival, August informed me that their RA training schedule was kind of tight. They had activities all day Friday, Saturday from 8 am-6 pm with only 30 minutes off for lunch, and a good chunk of Sunday.

Because we knew we had to have time to unload, it did not make sense to try to see August at lunch. I made the decision to show up early! We planned to get to Ithaca by 6 am. We would unload all the stuff and then take August to eat breakfast.

So this bounced around in my brain on Thursday.  As you know, Mia left for college on Tuesday. Her dad took her. This meant that Mikey and I did not get to see her off. So that was bouncing around in my brain too… and after all that bouncing, a new idea emerged.

We planned a whirl-wind tour of our children’s colleges for today! We left just after midnight for Ithaca. Mike drove and I knitted. After the darkness made it too hard to continue my knitting, I napped. We stopped once for gas and arrived just before our goal of 6 am!

August met us at their dorm. That first hug was just what my mom-heart needed! I hadn’t seen my August since July 8th.  And they may not like hugs, but they know how to give them when I need one!!!

We made quick work of unloading–thank God for elevators! Then the three of us journeyed into Ithaca for some Collegetown Bagels. They had just opened up when we got there at 6:30, so we didn’t even have to wait to order. In addition to all sorts of bagel-related foods, they had a glass case filled with the most lovely cakes. I asked August if I could get them one for their birthday (Monday) but they declined. Not having a refrigerator would have meant the cake would have quickly turned to mush.

We were done eating and delivered August back up to their dorm. It was not even 8 am yet, so we were making excellent time. I sent a text to Mia to let her know our ETA and we were off! Heading west this time, I again knitted while Mikey drove.

More napping… and we arrived at Mercyhurst at 11:30! It was the perfect time for lunch, so the three of us headed to eat. It felt so good to hug my Miabug! Unlike August, Mia loves hugs… so hers are always wonderful! As we walked from her dorm to the cafeteria, it was obvious how comfortable she was on campus. Mikey and I walked behind her, admiring her. At one point he leaned in and whispered, “And she’s off!” Both of us felt great joy in seeing her “fit.”

After lunch, Mikey and I left Mia and her friends in the cafeteria and headed home. The last leg of our journey was certainly the shortest. It’s only 2 hours, door-to-door. One last fill up of the gas tank and we were off.

Can you guess? Yep.. Mikey drove and I knitted. I did not need to nap for the last part of our journey. Mikey and I spent some time reflecting on how our two college kids are doing.

As he has done before, while we were talking, Mikey said to me that I am a good mom and have done well with my kids. I don’t think those were his exact words, but that was his meaning. After all the years of hard work and struggle–most of them as a single mom–compliments can be hard to accept. Today, however, his words sunk in.

I have amazing children. All three are becoming the most incredible (and unique!) individuals. I don’t know that I will take credit for much except I will repeat something that my mom has always said:

When people comment to my mom that she is lucky to have such great kids,
she replies, “That’s not luck. That’s hard work.”

I am not lucky. I am seeing the beautiful fruits of many, many years of hard work. And I am grateful.

Oh, and since arriving home from our 14.5 hour journey, I have been resting. I did not nap, but I will soon go to bed. I will not set an alarm for tomorrow. I feel confident God will understand if I sleep through church. And when I wake, I will thank Him for these amazing, kind and wonderful children He has lent me.