Separation anxiety. It seems I’m not the only one adjusting to my son and his family’s moving out of our house. On Wednesday, we met up with them at a restaurant for dinner. We hadn’t seen Caroline, who just turned five, for four days, mostly because she had been sick. When she spied my husband, she peeled across the room to throw her arms around his legs. Then she spotted me and did the same thing, and I felt the embrace with joy. It was clear she had missed us as much as we missed her.
During dinner, she colored two pictures with crayons the restaurant had given her. With each one, she said, “Take this home, grandma, and keep it so you don’t forget me.” She’d color some more, then repeat insistently, “Take this home so you don’t forget me.” It was obvious she was feeling bereft of our company and worried that we might disappear. It dawned on me that she had been living with us for nearly a year, or about 20% of her life! No wonder the change seemed so huge to her.
Today, her mother called to see if she and Caroline could stop by for a visit after pre-school. But of course! We sat on the porch, ate strawberries, talked about school and the little boy in her class who threw up on the floor. Apparently, the bug was floating among all the kids in her class. She drew a game, showed me how to play it, then told me of the surprises at each stop: a kiss, a heart, and – saving the best for last – a hug which she promptly gave me.
I think Caroline went home feeling reassured. I told her I’d pick her up from school Tuesday and we’d walk to Baskin-Robbins to redeem her birthday coupon for ice cream. Separation anxiety should melt away with that treat.