Daughter Number Two just left for Heathrow, and another year at school. It's much easier this year. Last year I wasn't quite sure I'd survive being a Not Mom for the first time in 22 years, but after a few rocky weeks I managed.
This year I already have an inkling what my life sans daughter will be like. Setting two plates instead of three. Not getting up to the sound of the blow dryer. Not driving to the bus stop while it's still dark outside. Flying off to new places without looking at the school calendar. Not spending my Saturdays at basketball tournaments that go on forever.
It helps that I have a friend visiting, and we're heading out for a long walk in a bit. (The same friend I was worried about here, who now lives in Prague.) I've also got four trips planned for the next few months, one of them to Prague. (Barring some sort of Eastern European flare up, which is precariously close to happening.)
Daughter Number Two is on track for a good year too. She's visiting a friend in Virginia for a few days, then taking a bite out of the Big Apple, and finally showing up at school in Massachusetts early. She was selected to be a HONS—Head of New Students, which is a great job for a girl who was The New Girl eight times during her school career.
Me, I'm sure I'll be fine, after another cup of tea and a nice long walk.
