As you know, I cried at the airport when we had to say goodbye. What you may not have known is that I've been crying off and on for weeks, months really. (Especially the days before your departure.) It comes over me every once and awhile and I get overcome with sadness. Not so much that I'm worried about you or afraid for your safety or anything (although sometimes that's it) but mostly because I'm going to miss you so much. I like you being in our family and I like our life. I'm sad that you're not going to be with us on a daily basis, and I really have this huge hole because I feel like your childhood is over and it was too short for me! You leave us on this day still a child (you are after all only 17) and when you return you'll be an adult, literally -- 18 at the end of September. Even through the tears, I can't believe how lucky I am that out of all the 17 year old boys in the world, that I GOT YOU as my son!
