Showing posts with label college kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college kids. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I'm over at Catholic Mom today, with another installment of what I'm loosely calling "Tales from the Empty Nest"


Have I told you how much I love CatholicMom.com, and its intrepid and wise founder-turned-author Lisa Hendey? Sure, you've probably heard me sing those praises before. But, no joke, check it out if you are a Catholic Mom and you're looking for information, inspiration, and a dose of fun for your Catholic Mommy Years. Back in the dark ages of CatholicMom, oh I'd say about two website iterations ago, I started writing for Lisa, and it continues to be a favorite stop for me, even tho' I'm not in the trenches anymore with small children. So, I'm writing about what I do now as a Mom....

Here's a snippet from "The Letter to the College Freshmen":

Dear Peter, 
I hope your life at college is going well. Your last email and your Facebook statuses all sound pretty positive. Your departure as the youngest child off to college means that there are a few new things going on around here. So I thought I’d let you know about them before you arrive home between semesters. 
After 24 years of parenting, I’ve gotten rid of the infamous lost sock bag. That’s right. Let the purging begin. I matched what could be matched, and the rest will be recycled into grease rags for Dad’s auto repair kit, dust cloths, and doggie chew toys. There are only two people here now, one guy, one gal. Finding mated sock pairs is pretty easy. But I almost caved on the whole project when I got to the bottom of the bag and found blue socks from when you were little. No lie! Blue uniform socks from grade school! *sniff* Unmatched in size, of course! But I could not throw them away. Not quite yet. I am keeping them in an undisclosed location since there is no more random sock bag.
Oh there's more. Find it here.

The Gohn "kiddos"
(That's Peter's high school graduation.)

Here's an earlier installment on the launching and sending off of sons. (Um, and another one about the oldest finishing college and leaving home.)


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

On Launching Ships and Sons... (yup, we sent our "baby" to college)


I'm over at CatholicMom.com today, waxing nostalgic. Well, actually the column is more about my hopes for my youngest son being on his own in college than my transition to the part-time semesters-only "empty nest."

Here's a taste of it:
Look at the ships also; though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs (James 3:4 RSV-CE).” 
I have kissed my son and waved goodbye. The day finally came for him, the youngest of the brood, to pull up anchor and sail off for college. As I’ve come to assess the condition of my mother’s heart, I find a contented peace, like a sunset after a long working day. My years of sailing a thousand smaller voyages with this young man now bring me here, standing on the shore of blessing. 
The giant ship -- that is, an adult child’s college career or work life -- and the sails that are made to harness the winds of successful living, are, in the end, steered by the smallest rudder… for the conscience is hidden deep. It invisibly navigates every journey, guiding the course. 
Such are the paradoxes of the Catholic faith. We can easily recall how the smallest Host of bread contains the greatest mystery and the holiest power. To consume it – to let it transform us – is to yield the tiller to Another’s gentle hand and influence. It never fails to reveal True North to the sailor.  
Read the whole thing. And check out the great line up over at CatholicMom! There's always something good cookin' over there!

Image credit 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Among Women ReadHer... 8.13.11

Among Women ReadHer
8.13.11

--Elizabeth Foss from her blog In the Heart of my Home
An on-going discussion of Dr. Meg Meeker's book "10 Habits of Happy Mothers"

Alicia von Stamwich at AmericanCatholic.org
Some good tips. For related subject matter, you might also like to listen our recent episodes about "Little Ones in the Domestic Church: AW 104 and AW 105. Others about fostering faith in family life: AW 90, AW 76, and AW 15.


--Mary Beth Hicks, over at CatholicMom.com
Packing someone up for college? Here are a few tips plus sound advice for the parents who've yet to reach this milestone.

--Deacon Greg Kandra from The Deacon's Bench
You might disagree, but in recent months, the amount of time that I spend online for work and pleasure has come under closer scrutiny. Anyway, a good reminder for all of us. 

World Youth Day Website - worth bookmarki ng for the upcoming week
World Youth Day on Catholic TV - Watch it on your cable provider or online

--Julie Davis from Happy Catholic
Enjoy a giggle.

You Are a Super Hero!
--Rachel Balducci at Faith and Family Live
Some more fun: I have a few aprons for when things get messy in the kitchen... but one of these would certainly bring some fun to my culinary projects... or they could be my next Halloween costume! 

Early August Gardens, At Our House
--Laura Lee Richard at Our House of Joyful Noise
Laura takes some of the best photos in the blogosphere. Check 'em out, you'll smile.


This is the Good News story of the week, imho...



This remains one of my favorite songs from the past year...

The new Roman Missal (click & learn about the coming changes):

Watch Catholic TV here! Find Women's programs: "WINGs" and "Woman at the Heart of the Church"

A Lovely Reminder for Every Day

Coffee drinkers! Support AW by drinking Mystic Monk Coffee!

Ship a Cake, and Share a Blessing