Yes and it’s killing me! My seventeen year old daughter moved two states away last Monday. She’ll be starting community college after the first of the year but she moved early to get settled in with her best friend and find a job. I thought I was going to keep her around for another year, but she was finished with school and it was one of those opportunities I couldn’t deny her. She too is one of those sensible girls low-maintenance types and I’m sure she’ll do fine.
But oh how I ache for her! I homeschooled her so I’m used to having her around most every day, all day. I’m used to calling her into the room and saying “hey, look at this” whether it be cute kitty antics or something interesting on television. I’m used to her giving me the occasional hand with her toddler sister. I’m missing her baked goodies, and her hugs and hearing her laughing from the other room. I miss the low sound of her music from headphones and her occasional sweet singing. Must stop now before I get emotional again. 
I’m happy for her though. She has her computer and her friends and she’s just a phone call/IM away most of the time now. I spent the past few days cleaning up her room, readying it for her little sister to take over. It’s really a weird feeling. All the trinkets she left behind, ya know? Clippings and movie ticket stubs, bits of poetry and old Barbie shoes. I couldn’t throw much away, just put it all in boxes I’ll hold on to for her. I’m hoping she’ll come home in December for Christmas.
Wow. I can’t believe I won’t see my baby girl until Christmas! Oy! I need to go look at kitty pictures or something…get my mind off this…