Re-Filling the Nest

Just as we were getting used to the empty nest and beginning to appreciate the freedom, he's back. The veterinary technology program was too much, too quickly, and Jason was overwhelmed by it. He was also saddened and revolted by having to look at cut up "pets" like dogs and cats in the anatomy and physiology lab.

So we travelled up to Delhi on Sunday, Nov. 11th, and helped Jason pack up his things. On Monday morning we met him early, and he got the remaining signatures he needed to withdraw from the college fairly quickly. Because we ran back to the hotel and checked out before 11 AM, we wound up getting a credit for the second night.

It was tough getting the suitcases down to the bus stop but fortunately we only had to bring them down from the campus. Bruce's heel spur was acting up and he couldn't walk that far comfortably. So it was a good thing that it was all downhill and not that far from the dorm to the bus stop in town.

Pretty much as soon as we got home, we introduced Jason to The Door. http://www.door.org The Door is a youth organization that offers assistance with health, legal issues, counseling, career and educational help, for young people from 12 to 21. Although they say they are intended for low income youth, no one is turned away. Jason signed up to become a member and got the phone numbers for the career and education specialists.

Because the college ID is also a key, he had to surrender it at Delhi when he completed the withdrawal process. So he also had to go right to the Department of Motor Vehicles and apply for a nondriver photo ID in order to be able to work.

Right now he plans to look for work and may or may not attend as a part time student in the Spring. Or, he might wait until fall to attend college again. We'll see how this goes. In the meantime, we have our full nest again. It feels natural. I missed him more than I knew. But on the other hand I hope he will venture out again in a year or two and it will work out better for him next time. I felt sorry for him, after he had such great social success at college, that he had to leave and probably lose most of the new friends he made. But he will make friends again elsewhere, I am sure.