Dorm Check

Yesterday was the day I hate. My daughter went back to college. I knew she was ready. I knew she was excited. And while I am excited for her adventures I am never ready to watch my children leave my house.

Since my daughter is in a dorm with a community kitchenette we discussed buying her dishes and things she will need. However, we decided to wait for most of the bigger items since there are a total of 4 roommates sharing the space. After all there is no need for them to have 4 toasters or 24 place settings for dishes.

We came home from camping, quickly cleaned the mud off my Jeep and loaded up her stuff to go. I quickly became aware that my daughter and husband didn't care how the stuff came home from college in spring as long as it made it home. We looked like a redneck bunch of hillbillies moving into the dorms from good o country living. Many families had all sorts of organized totes and boxes. Not us. We unloaded one thirty one bag or Wal-mart sack at a time.


While we were unloading the car my heart sank. Not sank because my baby was leaving and I was emotional but sank because I was dropping my daughter off at a dorm room with no meal plan and no food. Yep, that was an epic mom fail moment right there. Not to mention she runs the risk of not having any utensils to eat with because I forgot to tell her I bought her some and they were at the house in the Target bag in my office. I quickly text my husband that I was not comfortable leaving my daughter without food. He assured me she was a big girl, had money in her checking account, she would be fine for a couple days, and we do only live 20 minutes from campus so if she got really hungry he was sure she would show back up at home.

We quickly unloaded the car with the help of the university staff (thank you!!) and got her room some what situated before saying our good-byes and running out the door. I still had school work to get to and I could tell my daughter wanted to go and hang with her friends.  Later I got a text that said she picked up some food and was good. She borrowed the things she needed from a friend and would be fine until I got back to her on Tuesday. I told her to let me know what her and her roommates need after they talk about it and to send me a text with what she still needs. I figure since we live 20 min from campus it is probably easier for us to pick up items than for the parents that live a few hours away.

Today my heart sank when I read my daughter's text message to me. Her message to me read "No one brought pots or pans and the one girl that brought dishes was like stay out of my stuff and we will be cool." What a great way to start the semester. (note sarcasm)

This text message bothered me a lot today. It bothered me because I would like to think we have raised our children to be kind to another person. Especially one you have to live in close quarters with for the next 9 months. I would like to think that if someone came to my children without an item they would willingly lend that item or share the item with the other person.

I always thought I knew who I wanted my children to be when they grew up but today that was confirmed. I want them to be kind, considerate, compassionate, loving human beings. I want them to extend a hand to those in need. Even if it is to borrow a can opener or dishes until they can get their own. I would like to think that my children would be that person.

I know my daughter well enough to know that she just rolled with the punches the last 24 hours. I would like to think that if this person would end up needing something she would lend a hand even though they started off on the wrong foot.

It got me wondering.......would the mom/dad think this person's behavior was acceptable? Would the parent be in the same boat I am in thinking their child would do the right thing but in the end not do the right thing? It got me thinking.....who are you when no one else is looking? Do you act differently if you think you won't get caught?

I recognize that these are young college kids and they are each trying to find their way. I just hope and pray that my kids are learning to find their way while showing the love of God to another person.