<p>Sorry to hear this momofsongbird – a dear friend of mine did the same in his last year of high school. Such a cruel waste of a fine young life.</p>
<p>MOSB - so sorry to hear your news. Take care of yourself and your family. There are very few things that are sadder than this. I will pray for you, your family and the family of your D’s friend.</p>
<p>So many things to comment on here.</p>
<p>Agree with Novelisto about if you’re married, you’re on your own. We left S1 and his wife live with us for two months until they found a place to rent that would allow them to keep their dog. They’ve been on their own for about 18 months now.</p>
<p>Amandakayak’s nephew could have been my niece 11 years ago. She conned her mom into believe she was too sick to go to school through most of middle school–so much so that my brother and sister-in-law ended up in truancy court. Her parents, believing that she does not respond well to “traditional” discipline, tried an “alternative” school for high school. She didn’t respond well there either and now is being homeschooled as a junior. </p>
<p>On a MUCH happier note, S1 sent me a video via iPhone today of my grandson walking on his own for the first time. I am with my mom, helping her recuperate from facial surgery (skin cancer) and that video was incredible medicine. Probably the first time my mom has truly appreciated the technology that is the cell phone!</p>
<p>mosb - please know we are thinking about you and your D. Thank you for letting us know. What a terrible, grievous situation. </p>
<p>D is doing great. She has so many options yet to come, and she knows it. And she didn’t say anything I was afraid of, like that schools won’t want her, etc. She’s grown up so much. </p>
<p>And as so many say here: The best thing in the world is an early safety acceptance. D’s is a very high-quality, low cost school that she really, really likes. It will be a contender all the way through. I am so grateful for that. It makes all of these bumps along the way so much easier.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh. Momofsongbird must have posted while I was composing my post above. My prayers are with you, your daughter and all involved. How incredibly sad! </p>
<p>Hug your children–if they are within hugging range.</p>
<p>Momofsongbird and little songbird - You are in my thoughts and prayers, it is a difficult thing to be the one left behind. So very very sorry for your loss and the loss of your community! ((hugs))</p>
<p>MOSB- So sorry to read of your D’s friend.</p>
<p>EB- well that stinks. I hope there are more yes’s coming in the mail soon.</p>
<p>So sorry, MOSB. There’s nothing to be said about such a terrible thing.</p>
<p>mosb–
My heart goes out to you and the family. Remember, at times like this, there is no answer to “why” or “what if.”</p>
<p>On a happier note, we got a very nice call tonight from S1 who is doing study abroad in Ecuador. In the months he has been there, he has been involved an a couple of robberies, a coup, and a complex pseudo-kidnapping/extortion. The call was just to say that his field time in the Amazonian jungle was over, and without misadventures. About three more weeks before he is home and I can breathe easier.</p>
<p>MOSB- What a tragedy. I am so sorry songbird and your surrounding community is dealing with the gravity of such a loss. There are no words to explain that will be sufficient. There will be no answers that do not fall short. It is so sad that we are helping our kids navigate such difficult issues at such a young age. Songbird is blessed with a mother that knows sometimes the most helpful, soothing thing is just being there. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both at this difficult time. Warm and gentle cyber-hugs.</p>
<p>MOSB–sending hugs.</p>
<p>EB–never like to see one of our kids get let down–but sounds like she’s handling it great.</p>
<p>UT–oh boy! So glad to hear your S1 is… um… out of the jungle in one piece? What a fabulous adventure! (My S1 is having a great–albeit tamer–time in Florence, kicking the soccer ball around with locals, stopping in neighborhood trattorias with his new friends to share wine and discuss art. Not the same thing at all.)</p>
<p>S2 is in the midst of finals here.</p>
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<p>What a nice thing to be able to see and show your Mom. Technology is wonderful!</p>
<p>UT- what an incredible experience your S1 is having. I am sure the next three weeks will fly by.</p>
<p>mosb-so sorry for your loss. so incomprehensible and sad…</p>
<p>MOSB - I am so sorry to hear about your D’s friend - hugs to all.</p>
<p>MOSB: I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of songbird’s friend. I will pray for your family and her friend’s family. Cyber hugs to you.</p>
<p>MOSB my deepest sympathies to you, your daughter, and everyone involved with such a tragedy.</p>
<p>MOSB: I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s friend. What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to you, your daughter, and the boy’s family.</p>
<p>MOSB, I’m so sorry for your loss and what you and songbird will be going through and for the poor boys family. cyber hugs (( ))</p>
<p>On a college note…Yesterday son got five college pieces of mail, including a big poster from a college where he’s been accepted. The others were from schools that he had not applied asking him to apply or schools where he’s been accepted mentioning fin-aid and a very thoughtful one from St. Michaels (accepted with merit aid) talking about a 100% placement rate from 2010 grads in his intended major. While he was reading the St. Mike’s letter he got a phone call from a student at one of the other schools where he’s also been accepted with merit aid. I keep thinking that if this is the attention my B student is getting, what’s it like for the A students??</p>