Changes Are Always Happening

Well the last time I posted I seemed to be worried about the end of high school for my son, probably looking forward to the summer months when it's a little quieter here at Clonlara too (where my son graduated and I work). I was a silly girl!!!! Graduation came and went, and in fact my son did graduate - but he refused to participate in graduation. I had two requests at the beginning of his senior year - again silly me, I thought with all the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into educating this boy I had the right to ask for; 1) senior pictures and 2) that he walk at graduation.

I guess I should have guessed when early in the school year he refused senior pictures and I had to steal one (caught him by surprise and snapped a good one), that when it came time to walk across the stage, he wouldn't be there. Exactly what happened - although thankfully I knew ahead of time so it wasn't a surprise. The week of graduation was full. On Monday he got his driver's license, on Wednesday his dad gave him a car for graduation, on Saturday it was graduation (like I said, he didn't attend) and on Sunday he wrapped his car around a tree. No worries, he was not hurt but the car was totaled. Talk about a week from _____. Since that week, this child had bought a used truck - then found out 5 days later the transmission was bad and sold it for junk. Paid to have the clutch fixed on his Jeep, and after 50 miles found out it was in fact not fixed - and now has that vehicle for sale. He had planned to work 3 jobs and do maintenance tanks this summer - he's now only working one job and doing tanks. And amazingly enough.....I still can't get him to take out the trash once a week. Yes, we have gone through all the excuses - he's only 16, he is young, he just finished school and needed a break, yada, yada, yada. His plan now..........moving in with his girlfriend the day after he turns 17. Thank you Michigan law, there isn't a thing I can do about that either. So.....I hold my breath. Thankfully I have some amazing friends and family members who are supporting me, letting me vent when needed, and holding my hand along the way. My mantra is "I've done a good job." He will be fine and it's time for him to learn on his own, I guess (at least that is what everyone is telling me). Things have changed so much and I have finally 'let go' of what I thought it was 'suppose to be like.' Most of the time I am at peace and try not to think about what is to come. As for me..........since life no longer revolves around that child........there will be changes there too. Professionally and personally I'm trying to figure out the next steps. I'm going to be alone for the first time in my life (living wise and responsibilities to others wise) and I want to be happy. But what does that mean???? I think that is a perfect subject for another post :-)