All The Wrong Words To Say At College Drop Off

I had memorized every word the night before and it would be perfect. By 2:19 a.m., I knew exactly what I was going to say and do when we dropped off our oldest son at college the following day.

I would stand before my child, like the Virgin Mary. Offering gentle outstretched hands with my head leaning just slightly to the side, I would pull my son in close. Reaching up to smooth his hair, his trusting eyes would search out mine. I would smile with peaceful restraint and sigh, “My beautiful ba...