My son is being kidnapped and taken over 4,000 miles away from me. Well he hasn’t been kidnapped yet. Not until July. And since he’s going to be 23 in June, I suppose he doesn’t really count as a kid. And since he’s going of his own free will…. okay, fine. He’s not actually being kidnapped. But they’re still taking my baby away.
Our diocese has decided they want Stephen sent to Rome to study for the next 4 years. I’ve known it was a possibility for a couple of years now. A few months ago I knew that it was a pretty sure thing but it just became official this week. It is a great honor and I am happy but… I’m not happy that he will be so far away for so long.
The first thing I did was pull out my passport to see when it expires. It seems I’m good for a year. (Note to self: start saving up for those trips to Rome.)
Next, I started researching webcams. I informed my son that our #1 priority was to get a webcam so we can video conference while he’s away. He laughed.
“Uh, Ma, that is so not the #1 priority. The most important thing we have to do is get a slingbox so I can watch American TV while I’m there.”
This also means I really need to learn Italian. I know my son. He picks up languages very easily and he will start saying things about me in Italian, knowing I won’t understand a word. Therefore, I have to make sure I do understand what he’s saying. This, however, poses a bit of a problem. Unlike my son, I do not learn languages easily.
I never was a terrific student. I’m a tactile learner so, while I did okay in school, I never did well. I always managed to pass all my classes - except for Italian. I had Italian in junior high and high school. It is the only subject I ever failed in my entire life.
I see many opportunities coming up for my son to tease me. But that’s okay. I still remember how to say, “I’m going to kill you,” in Greek and he won’t understand me if I say that to him. That’ll teach him! Oh, wait. He took Greek last year. Curses! Foiled again!
February 20th, 2008 at 1:27 pm Quote
ROME? FOR FOUR YEARS? On the one hand, a Mother’s Dream; on the other hand, a Mother’s nightmare! And I don’t care how old he is, he’s still your baby boy (again, with the gorgeous head of hair) and I could very easily see the kidnapping thing, from your point of view. And I can also very easily see how very proud you must be of him. Heck, as your friend, I’M very proud of him! This is a BIG DEAL, and I am impressed.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:49 pm Quote
I think it’s 5 years. And he can’t come home for the first 2. But I’m trying not to think about that too much. But hey, if he does go all the way and is ordained in 4 years, that’ll be in NY. I wonder if I can reserve a special section in the Church for blog friends. Heh, I can just picture the little notices all over the place. “Reserved for Family, Reserved for Parishioners, Reserved for Friends, Reserved for Bloggers, Reserved for HWs, Reserved for all other Internet people… And how on earth would I classify people who fit onto more than 1 category??
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 am Quote
First priority: Slingbox. That son of yours has a good heads on his shoulders.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:22 pm Quote
Oh my goodness! What an honor! But oh my goodness, it’s SO far away! I think you and the whole family should go too. Does this mean you get to visit often.