Changing Children

Boy, is this overdue.....just isn't enough of my brain to go around.
I must be too much for too many and that leaves little for me...and I really hate to complain. It just isn't who I am. So I say that this--the following-- isn't complaining....just venting.
The end of August is here with September within days and the world shifts for us all, especially those of us with kids. Each school year heralds large changes. It's a whole new grade, a whole new school or a whole new state of being.
This year was a truly large one for our family. Having four kids, something "big" tends to happen weekly but this year all of our lives shifted.
Our eldest figured out how to go back to college after having left it 2 years ago and wandered around aimlessly in our backyard--we had built him an apartment out of the unused pole barn. He even made the Dean's list and applied to a four year college on his own and got in. Now if he learns how to open his mail in a timely fashion and gets his bills paid, my job may be done here!!
Child number 2--my daughter, Noelle. Starting up her Junior year, having been on the Dean's list at RPI (I tell you this since it is a REALLY, REALLY hard school and I'd have dropped out after week 2) and she has taken on postitions of authority and responsibility at her sorority. She calls me to complain about how irresponsible and idiotic people can be and "this is simple stuff MOM"! ..."I mean, how freaking hard IS IT to put the sponge on the shelf after using it or better yet, how hard is it to wash your own damn dishes". I listen happily with my palm glued over my mouth so she can't hear me laughing my ass off. "Yes" I eeck out without chortling "I can understand just how aggravating that is!"---Now when she is home, she actually locates the dishwasher rather than my doing it for her. And she is less likely to ask me "why are you freaking out?"
Child number 3--Our Drew. He graduated from HS this past May. We informed him he had to get a job. He said he did and yet never went there--ever. June came and went...no job and no work for us either. 'What do you plan on doing' we asked him over and over. He said he had a plan......I tried to get him scheduled for college classes and he took a test and never returned. But he still had a plan. He decided he would head south--with his best friend--to live with his mother for awhile, save enough money and move out with said best friend. They have a plan....I told them both I hoped they found whatever it was they were looking for.....they said it was a new state of being....I will keep you posted on what that will become.
Child number 4--the Cam Man. Soccer has begun and he is another inch taller. 6'4"??? I just know my neck cracks when I go to kiss his disturbingly furry face....it isn't much but he has a moustache!! Babies do not have moustaches.... As I folded his laundry which I rarely do anymore, thankfully, I had the cold realization that next year at this point in time, he will be having a major life change--as will I. I dont want to take him off to college. I want to know he is in his bed at night. Safe. I have to start organizing his college applications very soon. I don't want to. I will be all alone next year at this moment. I don't want to be.
Maybe some more animals would help......