Well, Josh is gone. I think he's handling it better than the rest of us, as he probably should. It is what Josh wanted, after all. Oh I'm not saying he didn't come to me Sunday night, bawling his eyes out and needing an extended hug from his old man. I'm just saying he's going to be fine.

If it helps, most of the biggest pot smokers I know personally perfected the habit in the Army.

So more traditional rebellion may not be out of the question as well.

*sniff*

Thank you, Alex. Hope is a wonderful gift.

*wipes a tear*

See, that's why I'm never going to have kids. They will grow up and rebel against me. I mean, with my luck my kid would grow up to be a Ryan Phillipe loving TV evangelist who is also an uber-conservative Republican, drinks Rockstar and eats at Chik-fil-A.

Awwwww.

And you're right. He's going to be fine. Maybe even a little better. :)

*hugs*

Wow, that is a lot for your family to deal with. Even if the changes are for the best, it is still not easy to let go, especially so far and so long.

Of course he came to you, this is a big step and we all wonder if we are making the right choice. A smart man would question that and wonderful for him and you that he came to you.

There will be a lot of adjustments for everyone. How is your wife feeling? So, there will just be the three of you {I'm sorry, I am thinking there is a daughter or two?}? Whew, we've had changes here, with certain siblings gone, it is hard.

Heck, when the oldest went to sixth grade camp!! Geesh!! The emptiness we all felt!! So, yeah, hugs to all of you.

Stay strong, Chronic. Meanwhile, we will all be sending as many positive vibes that we can muster for Joshua. Many virtual hugs to all of you in this difficult time.

Thanks for all the well wishes, everybody. I've passed them on to Josh.

MouseWife: We're down to four at the moment. Todd (12), Cat (16), and Crystal and I. It's been toughest on Crystal, I think. She's still having the occasional crying jag. Josh was her first baby, and we all know about moms and their babies.

It's not quite an empty nest, but the downsizing of our family will take some adjustment. Like when I had to do Josh's effing yard work last Saturday before doing my own. That sucked, let me tell you. On the other hand, we went out to dinner and the check was smaller than it had been in a long time. Josh may not quite be a man yet, but he's been eating like one for years.

Let the Army feed that boy for a while.