Sharon Y. Edlin's Blog, page 14

College Calamity

Ya see that little picture there, well, it’s about to bite our asses in less than a month!

Yes, my oldest bonus son graduated from high school with flying colors, got a nice scholarship, though it won’t cover everything, unfortunately, and is chomping at the bit to be free of the chaos his life can often be coming from divorced parents. God love him.

My husband is standing in a position I don’t think he ever really thought was coming so soon, though he knew it would one day I suppose. His oldest child who he loves to bits is about to launch off to college and he’s freaking out slightly.

He’s freaking out for good reasons, though . . .

His son is 18 and will no longer be his little boy whom he can watch over each day.
College is freaking expensive and because a certain person decided to take all of the kid’s college money, it makes it that much worse.
We often wonder when he does come home, whose house he will stay at either ours or his mothers, minor I know, but it matters to my sweet husband.
Will he go to college and get his degree, therefore launching out on his own.

But the biggest reason has my husband so upset and it breaks my heart to see the worry on his face when my bonus son brings it up . . . fraternity.

Yes, my bonus son has pledged a fraternity against my husband’s wishes but not against the wishes of the ex who thinks the kid should have anything his heart desires, probably because of the guilt she feels for taking all of their college money, but I’m just guessing.

The cost for this fraternity is astronomical and my husband, with my utmost encouragement, has refused to pay for it but miraculously, the ex will pay for it, though I have no idea how. Oh wait, I think I do, taking loans out in my bonus son’s name, probably, to pay for it then stick him with the bill at the end, but I’m just guessing here. I don’t know the facts honestly but this wouldn’t surprise me.

Yes, this is what it is like in a blended family when you have to deal with ex’s. It sux, it really does.

In addition to the astronomical cost, my husband is terrified for my bonus son when it comes to the hazing, although I know it’s against the law now, but I’m not an idiot, I know it still goes on. He’s also worried that it will affect his grades, his health, and his safety in general.

On the heels of a wicked argument between my bonus son and my husband the other day, I text my ex and explained what was going on with the fraternity and kindly asked him that we stick together on our kids not being in a fraternity or sorority and he wholeheartedly agreed. Thanks ex, you can be pretty swell sometimes.

I informed both of my children and although they were disappointed, they understood.

In 4 short years, our house will be empty of the day to day chatter and madness that resonates from our 5 teenagers and I can’t even imagine what it will be like to have 5 in college, well the 1st might be done by then, who knows. I’m not where my husband is right now and I can’t even imagine how helpless he must feel, especially when his opinion is never considered or discussed.

I will say this, though, my bonus son is one smart cookie, he’s handsome as heck, and I see good things for him. I just hope he steers clear of the stupid shit that ruins so many kids that go off to college because I know how easy it is to take that one step in the wrong direction.

To all of you parents starting the adventure with your child going to college, good luck and God bless. It’s going to be one helluva ride!

Love y’all!! ♥

 

 

Humbling Experiences

Every once in awhile, I am humbled beyond words and it causes me to have to stop my damn complaining and just move the hell on.

The picture you see was on Facebook this morning posted by a lovely lady I had the privilege of working with years ago when I lived even deeper down South near the damn equator. It stopped me in my thinking tracks as I read it through and then I immediately felt like a jackass posting my last blog about it being damn hot in the South.

It was also completely fitting because Monday is the 4th of July and no, that doesn’t mean fireworks and cookout day, y’all. It was when the US broke off from Brittian in 1776. Many people fought for that to happen, many lost their lives, and families lost some members.

Every morning as well as several times per day, when I let my dogs out back to go to the bathroom, our flag flies high and proud off of my back porch and I am thankful that I am free because of the sacrifices made by so many and to this day, I have a very difficult time watching any movie or show whether true or false that depicts what war was like. It absolutely sends my heart south and causes me to cry and not stop for a good while.

I can’t even imagine what y’all have seen, felt, heard, and endured and honestly, I don’t want to.

War changes people and they are never the same. I guess you can say that about many things. Love changes people and they are never the same, having a baby will too, divorce, losing a loved one, etc. but war, that’s just something entirely different.

War is debilitating not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I have decided that when I complain that it’s too hot this summer, I’m going to pull this picture up on my phone, shut my damn mouth, and say a prayer of thanks for all the sacrificing men and women out there that made my freedom possible. Thanks y’all, from the bottom of my heart, soul, and mind.

Love y’all!! ♥