I’m not naive to believe my kids will always live with me. That much I know. I’ve seen it, I’ve read about it, and I thought I was prepared for it. But I am wrong. Dead wrong.
I’m not to delve into any parenting talks about rearing children or even how to prepare yourself when kids leave your nest. I’m sure there are better avenues for you all to learn about those.
This blog is all about my family. What I want to share is my experience, our family’s story. Why am I so emotional if I know that kids leave? I don’t know 🤷🏼♀️ and probably will never ever know. I’m so attached to my kids there’s a time in my life I feel “naked” when I go out without them. Perhaps because we have gone through so many life challenges together?
So Wednesday night, close to midnight, I heard Pherry gently call me, very faint voice I thought I was dreaming. He lifted the blanket from my face ( I cover my face when I sleep coz of migraine) and said, “ Ma, I’m moving out.” At this point I was sitting up and I muttered something like I’m happy for him and so proud. I then asked when he plans to do so. He said, “tomorrow.” He said those word ever so gently but it rang so loud in my heart! My brain was literally racing— do I get upset, AM I UPSET, or I’m heartbroken? Am I sad or feeling abandoned? I believe I mustered to say something like “Friday tomorrow?” He must’ve said yes coz I asked why so sudden. He asked if I wanted to see the place and he showed a video. I asked him if I said something wrong or Dad did something wrong or if he does not like anything in our house. He assured me that NO, he just wants to experience it on his own and that he does not want us to help him at all as he has arranged everything himself. We talked some more till wee hours in the morning, our conversation started at 1145pm Wednesday’s and ended 2:48am Thursday. I know that for sure as I called his dad right after. We talked about many things, boring things but we talked. That’s what’s important.
Following morning, KC found me crying on the phone as I needed to tell someone about it and I texted my closest friends and my niece Fridah. Poor KC shE was so worried but ended up laughing at me when I said Kuya Pherry was moving out. She said, “ so it’s just Mama tears?”
It’s my habit to kiss him goodbye while asleep as he has been sleeping on the sofa ( he refused to go back to his old room, maybe I should’ve known ☺️) and just that moment, his alarm started and I cried some more as this might be the last time I can hear that alarm.
Fast forward to today. Fridah and her family, and ours visited Pherry at his new place in Boylston St. in Boston. So no, he did not move far away. But still 😢😢 He lives right smack into the heart of Boston.
Beautiful street view of Boston’s charming old buildings. As expected from an old but expensive city like Boston, the place is tiny but more than enough for one person.
Here he is happy and safe.
Here’s a picture with his cousins. And our family. My precious family.
While everyone ran down to go home , we found ourselves alone with him— just me and his dad with him. We had him all by ourselves. Surprisingly, Mr Hubbs didn’t have much to remind him. When I say NOT much, I meant 1256 items only and NOT 100,057 items. 😂
Here’s a snap just like when it was just the 3 of us.
And for good measure, just before we left, I jokingly told him, let me take a photo of you where they’d said “ here’s where Christopher first lived after college!” And he smiled.
I’m said, and lonely but I know he is a good man inspite of our shortcomings as parents. We know he will thrive in the outside world. He is self sufficient, independent, and ready to face the world.
One thing personal I can share with you all. I told him, “ Mama and Papa are not upset or angry at you, we are just sad you are leaving us.” He just smiles and says, I know.
Mr. Hubbs is sad, I’m heartbroken. Coz such is a mother’s heart.