Ahhhhh.....

That's the sigh I'm allowing myself after a crazy week amongst my women. Wifey and I just returned from Gainesville and Delray Beach, and, happily, WITHOUT very old Mom...

This week was supposed to be all about D2/ We took her to UF to get her settled inher dorm (um, Residence Hall, as the Director corrected us at the UF Preview). Instead, Grandma Sunny stole the stage, as we had to care for her since Saturday following a fall and preview to an assited living facility.

On Tuesday, we packed up the Volvo Suv ( my professor friend with the same model XC90 calls his the "Big Swede") with all of D2's stuff AND Grandma's new wheelchair. It was so packed, that Wifey and D2 couldn't even see each other in the back seat.

We dropped Grandma in Delray with her caretaker Louise, dealt with a flat tire, and then headed up to the emotion laden task of taking our last born to college.

Wednesday am we were early at Broward Hall, and watched the chaos of "move in day." UF has more than 6000 freshmen, and it's a sight to behold. Parents parking on the grass, and Mom's crying. The boys walk to the dorms with 2 small bags, and the girls have enough stuff to provision a house.

We got D2 moved and unpacked pretty efficiently, and then I headed off to meet D1's boyfriend Thomas for a much needed beer and burger at Mother's Pub, my new favorite Gainesville watering hole.

Calmed by 2 Harps, I returned to D2's room, and met her roommate Devan and Devan's folks, Chis and Roni. They were lovely folks, and while D2 and Devan left for a sorority pre-rush meeting, the 4 of us chatted like old friends. Wifey and I are pretty sure this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship for our newest Gator.

We made runs to Wal MArt and Publix, both of which were packed with moving in UF students and their anxious parents. Every cart was filled with lamps, shelves, bathroom supplies, and computer and TV cables.

We left D2's room and collapsed into our hotel bed. Wifey cried.

This am, we had breakfast at Ivy's, a gourmet place, and realized we were running late. D2 began the sorority rush. The waitress was alone, with 6 tables. We got up to leave, and the waitress asked us not to, and then the folks at the next table told her, nicely, to wait on us first --they had all morning. The last time anyone did an act so kind was, um ---NEVER! We had a great breakfast, and drove D2 to her rush meeting. She read my email to her out loud.

I cried.

We then headed for Delray, where a scared 90 year old was waiting. We thought we'd have to bring her home and care for her while moving out D1. Wifey got the good idea of bringing her to HER folks' codo for a few days.

I was very on edge. D1 texted and reminded us that she was at her Grad School orientation. In dealing with Grandma, we had forgotten...

Wifey and I went to Delray, and the 90 year old was doing better --ambulating satisfactorily. Her caretaker Lousise was available to be with her Friday and Monday. We left her.

I felt such relief...

We spoke to D1 and she happily told us about her orientation, and her walk though of her new apartment --her first grown up place. She was beaming.

So, for now, the 90 year old's at bay, and I can focus, with Wifey, on getting D1 situated.

What a drag it is getting old.

What a delight it is to be part of seeing your kids off to college and grad school.