Something always happens when I take my annual vacation, too. It seems to be my normal.
Go on your trip. If he gets the job you will figure it out!
I didn’t know people actually went away without a crisis beforehand. Last year the day before we went to Iceland we had a torrential house flood. My daughter fell off a horse and was injured a camp once while we were gone. We’ve had some major business catastrophe’s. It seems more a miracle to not have something go horribly wrong.
I don’t see anything wrong with cutting it a few days short since you don’t have the time off. However, maybe you want to use that time on the other end to help him get settled. To me packing is not as difficult as settling in.
I was tremendously relieved when my son got a job an hour from home, I’d miss him terribly if he moved further away because I know he’s not great about keeping in touch. At least now I can pop over and meet him for dinner or bring him some supplies.
Is trip just the tip of the iceberg, OP? Sorry if I’m imposing my perspective, but I read part of this as knowing that having your children far away isn’t easy. We’re all thrilled when our children do well, catch the big break, get the great job, but this separation thing is tough on some of us. I wish you the best in adapting to this change.
Things always seem to happen before a vacation.The good thing is, it seems a little flexible, since you are driving?
I think you should go and enjoy your vacation, cut a few days short if possible, to spend some time with your son.
I agree, the separation thing is tough, but it will be ok.
I think you should vacation without a care and come back with clear head and happy and ready to face whatever life brings, including help your S get his things to new location and visiting him there.
Many trips we have been on, things cone up but are handled in our absence. Sure, it MAY have been handled differently if we were present but we are not indispensable, nor are most folks. It is good for us and for them not to have micromanaging.
Dwelling and thinking about things we have no control over during vacations rather defeats the purpose. Meditate and learn how to turn off when you are away. It’s an important life skill.
I say…go, enjoy yourselves, have a richly deserved vacation, and…if he gets the job, you will be home in time to help him finish last-minute packing, or not! He’s a grown man, with a grown man’s responsibilities. You’ll be back in time to see him go, have last dinner(s) with him etc. This is YOUR TIME now and 800 miles is not that far…you can drive to see him a few times a year.
OP with an update (I just know y’all are lying awake wondering…)
They are flying him there while we are away! So that’s a positive step! He called to tell me, and to remind me that he’s mostly just worried that I will be worried while we’re away and, “you need to go and have fun, and I will go and do this, and it will all be fine”. So we are having dinner tomorrow night, and he wants to process what he knows and get his father’s advice, so if they offer him the job right there, he can accept it without “having to find you in darkest Mid-America to see what you think. Because you can’t remember to charge your phone, ever”.
I’m excited for him. DH just looked at me and got all weepy. “Are you missing him” I ask. “Well, yes. But I’m going to have to learn to fly, and you know how I hate that” he said with a crooked smile.
Great that he knows he can make decisions without you. One thing though: if he gets an offer in person, he does not have to accept on the spot. In fact, it would be unusual to accept on the spot. He can convey his delight, say he is going to go home and mull it over and get back to them in a couple of days.
BTW, how old is he?
Yes, and his father will tell him that. I do know quite a few 20-somethings , though, who were expected to answer within 24hrs, it seems to be a new thing. One of my friends who is a new teacher was offered a job at a job fair, and had until the end of the day to accept or reject. (She rejected, it seemed like a flag of desperation)
How old? Late 20’s. He’s been working in his field since the middle of college, actually.
So happy for him and both of you. He obviously cares for you very much and respects your opinion. I talked to my dad all the time about my business until the day he died. I give him credit for giving me the cornerstone of my business motto and helping me define it and put it into action.
I know it’s with a small pang of missing him mixed with pride and excitement for him.