Wednesday, August 17, 2011

There she goes

All summer, Wesley and I have spent each morning with a cup of tea and then yoga. This morning I got up and in the blink of an eye, my life has changed. For eighteen years I have fed this child, got her up at 7am for school, fixed breakfast, packed school lunches, driven her to school, picked her up, gone on field trips, volunteered in school, attended softball games, soccer games, concerts, plays, award ceremonies, taken her to music lessons, helped with homework, and arranged all of the things moms arrange for their child. And in just 24 hours all of this has come to a screeching halt. My daughter is now on her own, living in a co-ed dorm with actors, dancers, musicians, film students, and visual artists. Can you imagine how much fun this is going to be! Yesterday as we walked around campus there were kids playing their instruments, singing, dancers walking around with their little dance postures, we saw kids carrying violins, cellos, we met drummers, writers, and kids with so much love for their art. It was just incredible. Wesley's roommate is there for music, she plays violin and saxaphone and has been in a band here in Chapel Hill since she was in 8th grade.
I am so excited for my child and what her future will hold. It is strange here without her, but I am doing better than I thought. There is a little lump in my throat, and tears come unexpectedly, but I love where she is, I feel that she is safe and happy, so I have very mixed emotions. I am sad for the times that are gone and we will never have again, but I am so looking forward to hearing about her days at this unbelievable school and it is so interesting to watch my little girl become a young woman and use all the things that we have taught her over the years to become her own person. I have taught her to follow her heart, her instincts, to be mindful and take care of her spirit and her body. Her dad has given her the gift of looking at the world visually. He has taught her how to see things in a way I could never teach her. He has given her the confidence to be a strong woman because he gave her the stability of a family, no divorce, no absentee dad. He has been there for her every second of her life and they are so close, we all are.
Yesterday was a verrrrry long day! We were up at 6am and on the road to Winston Salem, taking Wesley and all of her worldy goods to UNC School of the Arts. We arrived at 9am, got her ID, room key, packet of information, mailbox and then got her unpacked. The school was so well organized, students were there unpacking everything for us and carrying it all to her third floor dorm room. We spent the entire day in orientation sessions for safety, health, academics, fitness, nutrition, student affairs, ate in the dining hall, saw a promo film of the film school, met all of the film faculty and somehow managed to spend a little time with Wes before we left her at 6pm.We are so impressed with this school and how attentive they are to the needs of artists. They understand artists. The dining hall has lots of vegetarian options and gluten free items which is great for Wes and the food is actually very good. They have yoga, which she will love, and the health services seems to be very attentive to the physical needs of artists. UNCSA was recently ranked the number two film school in the country next to UCLA and number twelve in the world, so I think she is going to get a really great education.
Good news is that I have lots of time for the studio now. Bad news is I can't call Wesley in and ask her what she thinks of some new idea I have and the house is so quiet without her. I now have to change the way I live and find out who I am without planning my days around school schedules and a kid's demands. I think we have been kick ass parents and we have raised one kick ass child, she is going to change people's lives, so watch out!
Here goes a new adventure, stay tuned!

16 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

and I can not wait to see what life has in store for her and her is store for life! Hello World!

Max said...

Today your blog brought a tear to my eye as well. I remember so well my son going from Matthews NC to NYC to school at FIT. Scared me, not him. He went with a quiet southern confidence, ... graduated several years ago in fashion design and desided to stay in NY. Now self supporting, great friends and having a grand life. AND we have never been more close...except in distance.

And even as we have never met I wish Wesley all the self-assurance and energy the next years ahead will require.

Tracey Broome said...

Hi Meredith, yes indeed hello world. Her eyes were wide open yesterday taking it all in :)
Hi Max, thanks for your comment and well wishes. Your son sounds like he has an awesome life, must have been that good parenting! We have a good friend that lives in Matthews and we used to live in Mint Hill, small world!

Dennis Allen said...

Tracey, It sounds like you are putting this in proper perspective. Those 18 years were in preparation for today, tomorrow, and the years to come.The alternative could be living in your basement until she is 35 and presenting you with surprise grandchildren every so often.It takes some transitioning but just when you think you couldn't be more proud of them they do something to make you even prouder.It's your and Gerry's reward for a job well done.

cindy shake said...

change is int he air! xoxoxo sending you lots of hugs -you must be so proud! Wow am I jealous of the opportunities and experiences Wes gets to have -how cool is ALL of that?!

andrea gardiner freeman said...

A simply beautiful account of love and letting that love touch the world.
Can't say it did not form a lump in my throat too.

Having grow up in Winston the School of the Arts was a big part of our cultural experiences, many friends went their... and I have often thought Rohan just might end up there...

I love the visual landscape you painted with your words about the school. She is going to just bloom there and you will always be there with her... that is how it is.

I will, no doubly need your confidence and wonderful grasp of new adventures when my time comes.

Go Wesley!!! Change that world girl.

John Britt said...

Open your hand and let your butterfly go! Fly free little one!

Tracey Broome said...

What nice words to read today you guys! There haven't been any tears all day until I read all of your posts :)
Dennis, she may be back, but we don't have a basement, then again we may all just go live at my mom's house, she has a pool and a hot tub :)
Cindy, we are SO proud and thanks for the hugs. Andrea, I have no doubt that Rohan will end up there or somewhere similar, he clearly has much talent. Hey John, she is absolutely flying free and I am so happy for her!!

Carol Ross said...

Well, I'm a bit late, but have to tell you how much I loved your post. It's so much to get used to when a child leaves home - even now, 20 years later, I think of my daughter Emily when there's an unexpected noise in the house. Oh, that's Em! I think you've done an amazing job getting Wes ready to be out there in the world - you and Gerry must be so pleased and proud...

Anna M. Branner said...

I'm thinking of how excited Wes must be! And while you wrote of her greating life....I was thinking "and YOU, YOU have a new stage of adventure and learning ahead of you." THAT IS exciting.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

How exciting for Wesley - and for you! What a cool school... Hey, be gentle with yourself these days.

Hollis Engley said...

A great day for all three of you. We're all better off having Wes in our world. I want to see that first film. And all the rest.

DirtKicker Pottery said...

Sounds like she's attending an amazing school. How exciting for her :)

Lori said...

Beautiful!

Tracey Broome said...

Hey guys, sorry I am just catching up on comments. Thanks! I can't wait to see the first film too!

Linda Fahey said...

you're awesome Tracey! I bet your daughter will be an amazing woman. She seems to be well on her way, and much because of you!

really beautiful post.