Opie Leaving Mayberry

My son, Nathan, will be graduating this Spring from high school. How can this be? It seems like only yesterday when Bobby and I went to Walgreens and jokingly bought a home pregnancy test (we were married!!) because I was "late". And when the little blue line appeared, you didn't know if you should say "OH S..t!" or "OH my!" Either way it was a surprise because the doctors said I couldn't get pregnant - guess they were wrong! So, here we are 17 years later living out in the country on a goat farm. And I have loved every minute of it!

This past Monday, Bobby and Nathan went to talk to a Navy recruiter. Nathan has been at odds about what he is going to do after graduation considering how bad the economy is. Currently, he is working part-time at a horse farm and does not consider that a career choice. The goats are of no interest to him. So "Opie" is thinking about joining the Navy.

Granted this is probably a very wise decision. He could learn so much. Not to mention the "free" travel. Bobby assures me that he probably won't see any military action. If he did, it would be from a boat and boats don't sink. Well, DUH remember the Titanic!!! Nathan tells me that he hasn't made up his mind yet, but I know my son and my intuition tells me that he is going into the Navy.

I am trying not to be a "Mom" about this. I want him to do what is best for him. BUT in my heart, I don't want him to go - I know I can't hold on to my little boy any longer. I am not ready for him to leave yet. I guess every Mom goes through this. I know sooner or later Opie must leave Mayberry, but I hadn't planned on it to be so soon.