To the young people leaving for college and the parents who love them.

(Love, a mom)

Dear college-bound:

There was always that one constant destination you were traveling to. Together, with those who love you.

To reach it, you have been on many different roads along the way.

All with different scenery.

Some of the roads were hilly, some were straight and narrow, and some you didn’t know what was around the bend, but you kept the course anyway.

Sometimes you acted like the driver and your parents as the vehicle.

You led. They just supported.

Sometimes you acted as the vehicle and your parents were the drivers.

You kept the engine going as they helped you get back on course.

Sometimes you followed the directions. Other times you got lost but were resourceful enough to use “Waze” (the real live human version) to keep you heading in the right direction when you needed it.

Most of the time you were letting down the windows and enjoying every moment on this journey to your destination.

Yet, some days you simply ran out of gas and stopped momentarily on the side of the road.

With lots of wear and tear and mileage accrued, however, you are now here.

The road has been traveled. And traveled well.

The “road trip” memories you have gathered so far will remain with you forever because they WERE the journey.

So park your car. Turn off the ignition.

Settle in. Catch your breadth.

Take it all in because ….

There is a brand new road waiting for you to travel it.

The only thing that is different is that you are now the driver and the vehicle .

With much love and pride on behalf of the people to whom you are the center of their world (truly) — go press on that gas pedal and find your next destination.

And if you get lost or if your vehicle breaks down, you’ll know which version of Waze you’ll need, where to find a good mechanic, and the road to get you there.

Home.