Ready, or Not!

Ready, or not!  As August came to a close, our house was chaotic getting ready for the new school year to begin. 

Adam, a college sophomore, was excited to get back to Middlebury College.  Back to his friends, stimulating teachers and classes, yummy food, and beautiful Middlebury, VT. 

Annie, a sophomore in high school, was finishing her summer reading, memorizing ions, composing an essay, and planning her outfit for the first day of school.

Kerry, on the other hand, was sleeping.  When she wasn't sleeping, she was working,  saying farewell to friends as they headed off to college, and trying to pack for her first year of college.  I could tell she was nervous, and I could totally understand because of my three kids, she is the lucky one who inherited my innate shyness.

 After a tearful good-bye to her friend, Jojo, the entire family drove to Burlington in two very full cars.  Kerry didn't feel like eating breakfast and had a sore throat, and she slept during the ride.























We arrived at UVM and a big group of people with green shirts helped carry her things to her room.

Kerry's room mate, Emily, was waiting to meet her. Then she left to allow us to figure out how to fit all of Kerry's things into her side of the double room! 

Kerry wanted a lofted bed, but we lofted it a bit too much!  It got lowered so she could sit up in bed without having her head hit the ceiling!

So we got her somewhat unpacked and left for the Hilton in downtown Burlington as Kerry headed off to a mandatory meeting of the Honor's College.

We had an early dinner and hung out in beautiful downtown Burlington.



 As usual, it had it's share of interesting personalities!

And Cows!

 With lots of reminders of what a great college town it is!

 We had a nice evening watching the sunset over Lake Champlain by the waterfront.

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We picked up Kerry to have breakfast with her on Sunday morning before we left to go home, and she didn't look very good.  Her throat was even more sore, she had a headache, her neck hurt, and she was exhausted.  I could not leave without taking her to see a doctor, so Vance and I found a walk-in clinic in Winooski. Three hours later, it was confirmed that she has mono!

After so many years of taking care of her when she was sick,  it was sooooo hard to leave her alone in another state to face her illness and so many new "firsts" in her life without me. 

I know how difficult it will be for Kerry, but I also know that these mountains she has to climb alone will make her into a strong, confident individual.  And I know that each small victory will make her proud of herself.

I know all these things, because I REMEMBER.