Ok, he leaves for college, all the way across country every time he comes home for the holidays then I don’t see him for months and I do not cry. Today, however, at the San Francisco airport, tears were just streaming as I hugged Matt as he was leaving for his semester in Italy. It’s amazing how fast tears can form (I have to look that up in a science book as it’s a mystery to me how tears work but I digress…). I am SO incredibly happy for him and so proud of him that he earned this trip through his college scholarship. But, at the end of the day, I’m a mom who has just been separated from her firstborn to a place so far away there is no chance I’ll see him before June. And to a place/places where I know the Boogey Man is taking his winter holiday. Whimper, whimper. Not only do kids have to grow up but moms have to graduate to pushing kids out of the nest without incident also! Anyway, here are some photos of our day which may make you think I’m a yo-yo in terms of emotion because after we left Matt at the San Francisco airport, Doug and I killed time in the city waiting to hear he was "wheels up" before we made our 100-mile trek back home. I am actually having fun but that is in no way meant to be interpreted as being happy Matt’s gone!
Matt checks in at the American Airlines counter. So high-tech – he had to "swipe" his Passport then show his Italian student visa.
Matt gets into the line to go through security. I’ve already hugged him and cried and cried and cried….
That’s Matt in his dark wool coat in the back after he could put his shoes and coat back on. This is the last glance towards Mom and Dad before he was out of sight. Waaaahhh!!!!!!!!!!
We had to kill time until we were sure Matt had taken off en route to the first stop in snowy Chicago. I never tire of driving through San Francisco, which has got to be one of the most unique and vibrant cities. I love those cable cars!
Wow, the Golden Gate Bridge looked incredible today! San Fran. is notorious for cloudy skies and weird weather but, today, it was spectacular! I love how red the bridge is.
That’s it! As of my writing this post, Matt is still en route. We think he’s now on the Chicago to London leg. Snow closed 3 runways there today so we hold our breath til we know he’s finally in Milan… sometime about the time we wake up Saturday. Arivederci Mateo!
