Go Get'em BUZZ, and give him a hug too!
This is what I was going to say. Our sons are very lucky that someone will miss them. Some leave and aren't missed. I think so often of one young man I know of who left high school last year on his baseball journey not from his own loving home, but from the home of someone on this board who was kind enough to take him in for his senior year, when the young man's home life became unbearable. So when I start getting sad about Mac leaving I think, "yes, this is the way it's supposed to be. He's supposed to leave. I'm supposed to miss him." Thank God he has a great place to go. Thank God he has someone to miss him.
p.s. No, I don't want to talk about the outcome of the ping pong challenge.
But did you get a hug? 
Got a couple! 
Good for you - you are gonna miss those! Luckily my younger son is a willing target of extra hugs these days. Bless the board member that did the right thing. We will be blessed with son's team mate in similar situation for the holidays, Can't wait to spoil them both. Pay it forward people, the best you can.
Ahhh Buzz, enjoy the ping pong, soon he will be exposed to a whole new version! 
My son leaving was the second to take flight from the nest. It was very difficult and he was very far from home.
I remember the first holiday he drove back here, after three weeks returned to school. He called to tell us he was "home" and we knew then this was not to be his home anymore, just a place to come to visit.
Now 4 years later, reality is he doesn't belong here anymore, he calls Clemson his home and is eager to get back, with friends, to football, to the baseball field, the familiar gym and trainers, his bed, his apartment, fav hang outs and of course all of his friends. At first it hits you really hard but then you realize you have done what you are supposed to do as a parent.
My son leaving was the second to take flight from the nest. It was very difficult and he was very far from home.
I remember the first holiday he drove back here, after three weeks returned to school. He called to tell us he was "home" and we knew then this was not to be his home anymore, just a place to come to visit.
Now 4 years later, reality is he doesn't belong here anymore, he calls Clemson his home and is eager to get back, with friends, to football, to the baseball field, the familiar gym and trainers, his bed, his apartment, fav hang outs and of course all of his friends. At first it hits you really hard but then you realize you have done what you are supposed to do as a parent.
quote:Originally posted by RYNO:
Well this is going to be a tough year for me and my wife as our first born prepares to complete his senior year and moves on to college. I personally and already am having some trouble thinking and dealing with it.
I watched my oldest leave in 2003 and my twin daughters leave two months ago. Do I miss them.....every day. Do I wish they were still at home....NOT A CHANCE. My wife wouldn't completely agree, but we spent 18 years on each kid preparing them to move on, it was a "project of love", the worst one to eventually face, but the most satisfying to watch. Now we're working on the continuing chapters which are just as exciting but a lot less work.
TPM, I have two sons who are college sophomores. I've heard of the "ponging" that doesn't involve "pinging." That will come soon enough for son #3 - for now, he's happy with the "ping" variety of "ponging" with mom.
Iheartbb, Yes, I will miss the daily hugs from the hs senior son, but the two older ones still come home from college a couple of times a month to get hugs from me. (Ok, they really come home for the cooking, to get $ and to see girlfriends, but I like to think it's for the hugs!) Son #4 is a freshman in high school so he has to endure a few more years of mommy hugs before he leaves the nest. I find that hugs from one really don't replace missing hugs from another though.
Iheartbb, Yes, I will miss the daily hugs from the hs senior son, but the two older ones still come home from college a couple of times a month to get hugs from me. (Ok, they really come home for the cooking, to get $ and to see girlfriends, but I like to think it's for the hugs!) Son #4 is a freshman in high school so he has to endure a few more years of mommy hugs before he leaves the nest. I find that hugs from one really don't replace missing hugs from another though.
So True, the body may be differnt in nature, but at least---in the true sense of the word, it is a HUG none the less. A hug, is a hug, is a hug, and no matter what anyone says HUGS ARE GOOD! Especially from our kids no matter where they are, what they do,or how corny they think we are, they are always willing to give a hug.
Ryno, yes, this is brutal and I'm right there with you. I had to seriously work to reign in the tears just a couple days ago when I suddenly started thinking about the end-of-season baseball party for high school, still many many months away! This is my first year as Head Coach, and my son is a senior. It's a tradition for the HC at the picnic to go down the line and say what he will remember most about each senior....and when I visualized calling my son's name...and what am I supposed to say at that moment in front of all these people...****, I can't even finish this post.....
Just hold up a picture from Woody.
You'll be allright.
You'll be allright.
Krak-
It is good that you are thinking about that speach already, I think it will help.
I have two suggestions.
First, before the picnic, sit down with son, or son and family and say to him/them what you plan to say at picnic kind of a one on one intimate and personal. This helps you get a practice run and let the tears flow, etc. He will also be able to hear everything you have to say and comprehend it. Secondly at the picnic do not wait to do your son last. After all of the emotion involved with talking about the other seniors, if you wait until the end to do your son, you are most vulnerable to not be able to hold it together.
Do him first or in the middle.
Whatever you do, you'll be fine - enjoy the moment!
It is good that you are thinking about that speach already, I think it will help.
I have two suggestions.
First, before the picnic, sit down with son, or son and family and say to him/them what you plan to say at picnic kind of a one on one intimate and personal. This helps you get a practice run and let the tears flow, etc. He will also be able to hear everything you have to say and comprehend it. Secondly at the picnic do not wait to do your son last. After all of the emotion involved with talking about the other seniors, if you wait until the end to do your son, you are most vulnerable to not be able to hold it together.
Do him first or in the middle.
Whatever you do, you'll be fine - enjoy the moment!
Krak,
I hear ya.
Speaking of letting go, what about opinions on this one. Met a very nice mom of a rookie player yesterday who followed her son wherever he went this summer,and spent 2 months at one place.
Obviously she has the time to do this, but I doubt if I had the time I would even consider it. Would she have followed him to school?
Sometimes there comes a time, IMO, when you just got to let go.
I hear ya.Speaking of letting go, what about opinions on this one. Met a very nice mom of a rookie player yesterday who followed her son wherever he went this summer,and spent 2 months at one place.
Obviously she has the time to do this, but I doubt if I had the time I would even consider it. Would she have followed him to school?
Sometimes there comes a time, IMO, when you just got to let go.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
Just hold up a picture from Woody.
You'll be allright.
This guy...may he rest in peace...always had the right thing to say...very motivational.
TPM,
If rookie son was right out of hs going pro it is very hard.. life style is major adjustment and there are players who pack up and leave ...and not because of the baseball.
Players need strong support from family, It can be a very lonely life for 18 yr old and maybe this player needs his family close by while he adjusts, which allows him to focus only on baseball.
Unlike college if a you fail in pro ball you may not get a 2nd chance, so you do what you have to do to help them succeed. (thats why players take steroids)
I read some where where Derek Jeters parents had to make 6 "emergency" trips in 2mos after he was drafted
If rookie son was right out of hs going pro it is very hard.. life style is major adjustment and there are players who pack up and leave ...and not because of the baseball.
Players need strong support from family, It can be a very lonely life for 18 yr old and maybe this player needs his family close by while he adjusts, which allows him to focus only on baseball.
Unlike college if a you fail in pro ball you may not get a 2nd chance, so you do what you have to do to help them succeed. (thats why players take steroids)
I read some where where Derek Jeters parents had to make 6 "emergency" trips in 2mos after he was drafted
With all the money in MLB, you would think some braniac franchise would build or rent a complex in the minor league town their prospects play at and harbor them together.
They say misery loves company, and I expect an idea fee from the first club to do this.LOL
They say misery loves company, and I expect an idea fee from the first club to do this.LOL
I made one "emergency" trip this summer, nj....it just wasn't HIS emergency 
Lots of college freshmen don't adjust well to being away from home for the first time and they leave school and choose a college closer to home.
With rookies they don't have those choices.
Its funny that distance can affect whether a person makes adjustments... Say players/students don't see their home for 3 months. The player/student who stays west coast may not have problem. But If that same player/student was sent across country to the east coast. He feels different and cut off.
Rookie yr most players stay together in a hotel.
With rookies they don't have those choices.
Its funny that distance can affect whether a person makes adjustments... Say players/students don't see their home for 3 months. The player/student who stays west coast may not have problem. But If that same player/student was sent across country to the east coast. He feels different and cut off.
Rookie yr most players stay together in a hotel.
Our son loves being away. He calls regularly usually at 11 pm or later. The importance of location, our top priority has proven to be crucial. We have no separation problems because he is unbelievably happy . Our problem is how do we get him to come back after 4 years.