Last year at this time we were heading off into the unknown.
Foolishly - or simply because there were no better options - we drove to Sarah Lawrence College last year sight unseen. I went off to Harvard the same way (but by air) when I was a freshman, and I decided then not to be part of that kind of thing again.
Despite my best intentions,however, that's exactly what happened to Molly. She arrived at her college without having seen it beforehand.
I'll admit to some substantial fear as we made our way to Sarah Lawrence. We had no idea what we would find. Within minutes, though, we fell in love with the campus, the setting, and the village of Bronxville. The relief that we felt was palpable. Somehow, we were comfortable enough to leave Molly there a few days later.
The memory of driving into New York City last year is vivid (and still gives me nightmares). It was about one o'clock in the morning. We crossed the George Washington Bridge and drove right into the Bronx. As we approached the toll booths at the bridge, we were in lane number five of twenty-four packed lanes. I could only wonder what the traffic was like during rush hour. And let's just say that our motel that first night left a little to be desired.
Early the next morning we rushed over to the campus for our first look. We wanted to see if we perhaps had made a terrible mistake - or if there might be a happy outcome to months of planning and praying. Wonder of wonders, the school turned out to be a great fit for Molly. And on a hot and humid day, we moved her into her room.
Things feel completely different this year.
We know what the campus looks like. We've met some of Molly's teachers and friends. We have already seen where Molly will be living this coming year. We even have some favorite restaurants in Bronxville - and a meal with Molly's roommate (and her family) already planned. We're hoping to cross the bridge a little earlier in the evening this trip. And we are even prepared for another hot and humid moving day.
This year it's not quite as mysterious as last year.
Even so, we fully realize that we are once again heading off into the unknown.
Despite out best plans and despite our most hopeful intentions, we never know what lies ahead. Nobody does. What comes next is always unknown. And that can either be an ominous truth - or an exciting invitation to a great adventure.
This week, I'm going with adventure . . . as we head off to a known world . . . that is completely unknown.
And one more thing. I am absolutely certain that it will be easier to leave Molly in New York this year.
Yeah, right . . .