tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post5334909583839401561..comments2023-11-15T09:24:10.316-08:00Comments on The 25 Year Plan: SilenceMichael K. Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07726807939923761538noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-61671228385689250262009-02-22T17:57:00.000-08:002009-02-22T17:57:00.000-08:00Oops, forgot to say that I popped in from Tanya's ...Oops, forgot to say that I popped in from Tanya's on this lovely Canadian winter's eve. I'm sorry to see you're getting skipped back there. Yikes!carmilevyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00360045114379957605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-18475852843410675332009-02-22T17:56:00.000-08:002009-02-22T17:56:00.000-08:00I'm not anywhere near that stage, but I know how f...I'm not anywhere near that stage, but I know how fast time flies, and I know that means it'll be here soon enough.<BR/><BR/>And when it gets here, I'll have your words to guide me.<BR/><BR/>Not that you've ever needed any help filling in the gaps, silent or not, but I'm always around if you need some noise to be made.carmilevyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00360045114379957605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-50166523831470030762009-02-22T17:00:00.000-08:002009-02-22T17:00:00.000-08:00As a grandma and great grandma the silence is stil...As a grandma and great grandma the silence is still astounding Noah my five year old grandson was here for the afternoon and I lament when he leaves.<BR/><BR/>Great article and true for life.<BR/><BR/>Dorothy from grammology<BR/>grammology.comDorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03181570769074774554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-69826816940638543082009-02-22T13:52:00.000-08:002009-02-22T13:52:00.000-08:00congrats on raising a good son, and on having the ...congrats on raising a good son, and on having the courage to trust him with his life going forward. Thank him for his service to our country.<BR/><BR/>Netchick sent me to be awed, againDavid Edwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02690273066219097101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-32955541907241476522009-02-21T19:12:00.000-08:002009-02-21T19:12:00.000-08:00Mike I know exactly how you are feeling. My oldes...Mike I know exactly how you are feeling. My oldest son moved away to attend college in 2006 and my youngest is now working or off doing some sport or social event most of the time that he isn't at the high school. My wife and I walk around a much quieter home - sometimes not sure exactly what to do with ourselves. It's much more comfortable now that we have begun to get used to it, but I have to admit I LOVED coming home one Friday night several months ago to a house full of college kids that my son brought with him from school for the weekend. All the energy and life... it was nice.<BR/>You will get used to it my friend. Heck, one day you'll realize you've come to embrace it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-32202613310565725382009-02-21T10:31:00.000-08:002009-02-21T10:31:00.000-08:00You must be so proud. To send three sons out into ...You must be so proud. To send three sons out into the world who are upstanding young men making a life for themselves and contributing to society must be very satisfying indeed. You will always be their dad no matter how old they gate and your home will always be theirs too. The quiet must be disquieting at first and I have no idea if it will get easier as I don't have children. I did come from a big family though and when I first left home I was felt the kind of quiet you describe. The great thing is that you have so many of your own interests and things happening in your life. Even if the silence never really goes you can fill it I suspect.<BR/><BR/>I came by as your visit gave me the kick up the bum I needed to drop by. I have been very busy lately and I'm afraid I leave blogs like yours until I have time to really read and comment properly. Sometimes a week goes by and I realise that the moment has not presented itself and so I need to make time, like I just have. I hope you enjoyed the induction ceremony :)Bobkathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-31331352311018735332009-02-21T10:05:00.000-08:002009-02-21T10:05:00.000-08:00A poignant post creating much to think upon. Beyon...A poignant post creating much to think upon. <BR/><BR/>Beyond the clear love as a father and the wish to see your children do well, there's also your own actions beyond the silence.<BR/><BR/>From my visits here, its clear that you also have your own agendas and interests and that these will create new and different dynamics and ways to take yourself forward. <BR/><BR/>It won't be the same, and of course you'll miss those no longer living under the same roof, but its also great that you have plenty of other projects and plans to drive you along.<BR/><BR/>I'm here today via NetChick and wish you the very best as you experience the mixed emotions of the current time.rashbrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01138427049001650099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-27884994879772536232009-02-21T01:14:00.000-08:002009-02-21T01:14:00.000-08:00Hi Mike, I'm so glad Tanya sent me this way this m...Hi Mike, I'm so glad Tanya sent me this way this morning.<BR/><BR/>I recently heard that my nephew is joining the Royal Navy. Although the family have always travelled and children have been away at school, college, summer vacations and even working abroad, the parents are still going through the same thoughts you are now.<BR/><BR/>No matter how disparate the family and independent the children, leaving for the 'Grown Up Lfe' is huge wrench for the parents.<BR/><BR/>I am with you in pride for our children wanting to make their mark on the world.<BR/>But we all understand your melancholy.<BR/><BR/>cqcraziequeenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15098227916486173799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-4875203496856617002009-02-20T11:02:00.000-08:002009-02-20T11:02:00.000-08:00Good luck to your son. I can't imagine what it is...Good luck to your son. I can't imagine what it is like to know he is going off like that. But doing a great thing by representing the country is, well, a great thing. Best of luck in the silence, and thank you to your son.<BR/><BR/>Netchick sent me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-58034277674642959942009-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:002009-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:00I find myself shaken by the power of your writing ...I find myself shaken by the power of your writing and my thoughts of being where you are some long day hence when my son leaves home. <BR/><BR/>I have no insights or remedies as I doubt there is any real solace for the feelings you so compellingly describe. <BR/><BR/>Take care and be well...mwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674863172358966045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-36287187208200055912009-02-20T08:58:00.000-08:002009-02-20T08:58:00.000-08:00(Letting them) grow up is such a hard task... good...(Letting them) grow up is such a hard task... good luck to your son(s) and enjoy the induction ceremony!<BR/>NetChick sent me your way, it's been a while!!!MaRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627282961669893082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-48526910281431742762009-02-20T08:23:00.000-08:002009-02-20T08:23:00.000-08:00I remember when my son went off to college grocery...I remember when my son went off to college grocery shopping and how strange it felt to pass by the cream cheese in the dairy section, one of his favorite staples. <BR/><BR/>I wish your son all the best. Wait till the grandkids come, then your house will be noisy again with all the sounds of glee. <BR/><BR/>Net chick says hi too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-52173080857007569332009-02-20T01:25:00.000-08:002009-02-20T01:25:00.000-08:00Even your first paragragh grabs my emotions- due t...Even your first paragragh grabs my emotions- due to remembering 1998, that similar feeling of my baby going to college four hours away. She never did come back for summers, but found her mate n a new life instead. <BR/>For some reason, her I always miss so much! I still have some of her stuff in the backroom, a decade later!<BR/>You're fortunate to still have one at home. I've been doing all this silence for a decade by myself now- The longing to be part of their life never stops, n I wonder if this is how my parents felt too...<BR/><BR/>My advice is- start making your own noise louder-Snaggle Toothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07197042129309670471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-73683546999075151742009-02-19T21:55:00.000-08:002009-02-19T21:55:00.000-08:00NetChick sent me, although I'll be back again. I t...NetChick sent me, although I'll be back again. I think I need to read more of your writing before providing any comment; thoughtful words deserve thoughtful words.<BR/><BR/>C/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-10510857739233738102009-02-18T21:02:00.000-08:002009-02-18T21:02:00.000-08:00No, if my experience is any teacher, it will not g...No, if my experience is any teacher, it will not go away. You make me remember the first day my son went away to college. Even though he was only 30 miles away, I realized at the time that our lives were changing for good, and that things would never be the same again. He is 43 today (the 19th) and sometimes I still wish he lived at home.kenjuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342414519714356343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19984125.post-50075739662405675782009-02-18T09:51:00.000-08:002009-02-18T09:51:00.000-08:00The silence is the thing that worries me most abou...The silence is the thing that worries me most about my last child leaving home. My daughter left at 18 for college, but she was really gone by 15, living day and night at the horse farm and competitions. I only saw her in the wee hours before she left for the barns or late at night before bed. She never forgave me for leaving her father, abusive though he was. So she spent very little time with me when she was home. But my son has always been a presence in this house and in my life. My days still revolve around his school and extra-curricular activities. In just over a year, all that will cease as he goes away to college. As busy as I am as a political activist, attorney and college prof, my role as mom was my most important role and the one I loved above all others. I can't conceive of the time when that will cease as a daily activity for me, the ensuing silence or how I'll manage. How do you do the same job for over 20 years and then stop cold turkey?VVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08751403913379728345noreply@blogger.com