Gosh it’s been a while since I joined in with The Gallery, the photography feature run by Tara at Sticky Fingers. But, like meeting up with an old friend, it doesn’t take long before the time spent away disappears and the enjoyment you always had together is remembered and continues.
The theme of ‘Family’ is very pertinent this week as my own little family, which has numbered three since our son was born in 1996, has temporarily reduced to two while he is at university. We have always been a close little threesome, going from this:
to this….
to this…..
Rory has been away for just over a week now and, although it’s tough, I’ve been more resilient than I’d anticipated. However, the week before he left, I was feeling very emotional and wrote about my feelings in my weekly newspaper column. If you want to know how it feels when your baby leaves the nest, you might like a little read. Just keep the tissues handy!
Will there be tears at the uni gate?
For more Gallery entries, have a look here.
Wasn't he a cutey as a baby? Such a lovely alert face. And he's grown up into a gorgeous young man. They are lovely family pics.
I love that baby pic of him – he was such a bright little poppet. Still is the apple of my eye.
What lovely photos – and I've had a little cry at my desk (despite the fact it's going to be a LONG time before my youngest leaves home!) x
I keep wanting to tell everyone "Make the most of every single moment!" as it flies by.
What lovely family photos, Trish.
Rory has grown up but you and Dougie have not changed much at all! xx
I was struggling to find photos of us all together. So pleased I got a friend to take that last one before he left.
I don't think I look much like me in the first one – probably because I wasn't wearing my glasses!
Awww what lovely photos!
Thanks Laura!
Oh my goodness, those photos together, watching how he's grown!
Gulp
The years really do slip by so easily
They do, they do! Cue singing of that Abba song from Mamma Mia…
Aw that baby pic is tear-inducing – the pair of you look so young – and still do!!I distinctly remember the night before my eldest went off to Stirling Uni – I was in my bedroom ironing his stuff and he was in his playing 'Blackbird' on his guitar – I was crying over the ironing board!!! Then the next day, as we were leaving him he called to us 'Don't go just now, stay a little longer'!! Well, I cried all the way home along the M9 and was inconsolable for days!! On the funnier side, he came home for the Xmas holidays and was still there at the end of January and I said to him 'Isn't it time you went back to Uni?'! Those were the days! I'm sure you're lad will enjoy them all. Good Luck to him on his Big Adventure. xxx
Oh Nana, no wonder you cried all the way home when he called you. Gulp!
I think I cried more the week he was leaving, like you, when doing the ironing. Now he's away I think I am blocking it – pretending he is at school or up in his room.
He is enjoying his big adventure so far xxx
Eek! This made me do a little gulp – we're a little threesome too, and even though Dylan has only just started year one, I can imagine time whooshing by way too fast to where you guys are now!
Hope he has a brilliant time though – and doesn't bring back too much dirty washing at weekends!
He's too far away to bring his washing back – five hours drive – so is having to do it himself! But he's having a great time, so that's reassuring and helps us cope.
So lovely to look back and see how they (and us) have changed. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to wave them off to Uni. Look forward to reading your article đ
Two weeks have gone now and it's getting easier, helped by a great Skype session on Friday evening. Let's hope I don't get the mid-term blues.
It's a hard transition to make for a mum but it can be done and there is so much more fun and games to be had ahead.
Wishing Rory a fab time at uni and you a smooth transition period.
Gorgeous photos
Ah that's great to be reassured that there is still much more fun to be had! Thanks Mari x
Love this. Seeing the transition is great. What beautiful photos x xx
I wish there had been more to choose from! A lesson for all bloggers đ
Love the transition from a tiny baby to a uni guy!
It's a cliche but where did the time go?
Lovely photo, I hope Rory is getting on ok, I didn't find it as traumatic as I thought I would – not yet anyway!
I'm worrying now that I'm not as upset as I thought I would be. Let's hope both of us continue to stay upbeat.
3 beautiful photos and you made me just a little teary eyed in the article…but well done Trish..you seem to have prepared for the big adventure he is undertaking very well..x
I should have done more cooking with him but he will manage – he's a good lad, always has been.
Oh that's so sweet- what an alert baby! I can't begin to think of ours moving away to uni (let alone being so tall)- It's so good to read you've found your resilience- I hope Rory has a great experience. x
He's enjoying it all so far, Debbie. Thank you đ
They always come back, Trish. That's what my mum always told me. With a loud sigh. đ
Ha! I'm wondering what it will be like having him back at Christmas.
Great photos, I have this to come but you must be feeling pretty emotional. He will have an amazing time though x
The week before he left was hard for me,plus the weekend itself. It's not been quite so bad since then. Thank heavens for mobile phones!
Fab photos but I particularly love the baby pic. I don't think I dare read your column as you had me welling up already second paragraph in here!
Oh well you don't want to read the column then. If you do, stop before the end.
Don't men age well. And you haven't aged. Great genes going on there which explains Rory đ I'm off to have a cry at your column now!
Dougie has always looked young for his years. I chose well đ
Lovely last line in your column.
I am getting jealous at your photos, since there appears a distinct lack of double chins……. I fear I must go back to the gym, I may be some time.
Are you still there, Bryce? Just make sure the photographer is taller than you and no-one will ever notice đ
I loved this….. all the pictures of the years gone by and your son as a baby and then all grown up. I hope he is enjoying university. I am like you, my family is a unit of three too! X ps… and yes, your son leaving the nest is going to be a lot for you to process. X
Lovely set of photos. I am sure you will always be close, but it must be so hard. Hope you are bearing up! x