We dropped off our youngest at college last fall and welcomed the empty nest. We had all been silently dreading the goodbye, but it seemed to go smoothly. She needed some reassurance, so we promised to visit during the first two weeks. She was finding her way, choosing her classes, making new friends.
The clothes I washed and folded were tangible signs of the growth of my kids -- from itty bitty socks to football player stinkers, from carters undies with hearts and teddy bears to thongs and strapless bras. There has been a wistful sense of time passing through the laundering of my family's clothing.