- AJ’s 2nd Birthday
The College Drive.
by Alienhippy
As I drop you off on the college drive
An image I have of you, when you were only two
You were all I had in this world
I would bring you everyday
To play at the nursery
In this place of education
You had nightmares about Baked Beans
I had dreams, that I could better myself
And give you more
Today
I watch you walk through those gates
In your checked shirt and baggy jeans
With your dreams
And a whole lot of living to do
I feel my whole stomach turn
I yearn to hold your hand
I swallow back the tears and my fears
For you
As you walk alone
Into the unknown
“He’s only going to college!”
I tell myself….. over and over and over
I drive home, the tears roll down my face
I look over to the place
Where your baby car seat used to sit
I smile a bit as your smile plays from memory
“Beep Beep, Mommy, Beep Beep!” you say
My little boy with his toy steering wheel
I feel…. pride, joy, sick and overwhelmed
All at the same time
I pull over
“I can cry, I know I can, I have raised a fine young man”
It’s like your first day in reception all over again
I went home and cried beside your toys on the living room floor
“What for…?”
You will understand, when you take the hand
Of your newborn
Only today
I have to let you go……..all by your Jack Jones
You don’t see my reluctance
I hide it with a smile
And for a while I watch you hesitate
Then you go, through the gate
And down the college drive
Head held high
I ask why? Time goes so fast
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You can read more about me by following the link below
Listening through the Loops 
Urgh! That was so beautiful now I’m sitting here smiling with tears 🙂
Well you are his Auntie Fi! 🙂 xx
I cry everytime I read this poem and I’m the one who put pen to paper.
Love you so much. xxxx 🙂
A very beautiful poem. It brought a lump to my throat.
Watching our kids grow up, and all the irreversible changes that that entails,
brings such a mix of joy for their progress as well as sadness for what can never be again.
Yes, smiles and tears.
And that is such a nice picture of AJ. He reminds me of my oldest grandson who turned two a few weeks ago.
And time does go sooo fast!
Thanks lovely Bruce,
I was a real mess when I wrote this poem. I had to pull over and I was nearly sick crying. I wrote it to distract myself from feeling SO overwhelmed.
I still struggle to read it, I get to this bit and then I start crying again with all my visuals….
I smile a bit as your smile plays from memory
“Beep Beep, Mommy, Beep Beep!” you say
My little boy with his toy steering wheel
Love and hugs my friend.
Lisa. xx 🙂
This has made me cry. It’s a time when you had to let go and it is so very hard. What a lovely Son you have and Daughter of course. I am so very proud of you all. Love you xxxx
Love you too Auntie Linda. xx 🙂
I absolutely love the photo. He is such a cutie. Love you xxxx
🙂 xx