They’re setting up the tent and wheeling out stacks of chairs over at the football field at Riverhead High School. Just a week to go before the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2009.

That makes it just six-days shy of two-years past watching Catherine, in the long line of her capped and gowned fellow grads, parading across the field en route to her next chapter.

As I drove past the field this week, it triggered that memory as well as the following year, this time both of us watching her best friend Allyson lead the parade, take the podium and charm the crowd as Valedictorian.

This year, I have no reason to attend. And only the sense memory of the Big Day 2007 to contend with.

I do want to say, for the record, and for anyone who's panicking at the prospect of packing up their child and sending 'em off to that first chapter in their independent lives… it gets better. I wouldn’t have believed anyone at the time I was facing the fear of letting go, but for what it’s worth, it’s true. You make the adjustments, you begin your own new life and you adapt.

I had to break the habit of watching the clock. I had to adjust to afternoons coming and going without having to pick up or drop off. I found a way to handle the empty seat at the table (eating from a TV tray is a lovely option). And oddly, as long as we were checking in with text messages, notes on Facebook or even the occasional phone call, I managed the transition to my new part-time status pretty well. Plus there are those hidden benefits. Less laundry, no more having to remind them to pick up and/or put away whatever, smaller food and electric bills (not to mention the energy you save not nagging them about turning off the lights when they leave thier room). And then there's free time and that's pretty fabulous!

Just when I thought I had it all handled beautifully, I'm blindsided by a new plan. This fall, Catherine heads into her third college year. And this fall, she’s going way beyond her Massachusetts campus (a ferry ride and 90 minutes from home). This time, Catherine is going to Ireland, realizing a long held dream of studying abroad.

How will I ever handle it?

I have it all figured out. We'll stay up-to-date on Facebook and, in lieu of the cell and texting, we’ll frequent Skype (www.Skype.com) for free Trans-Atlantic phone calls! Plus, I’ve got the TV tray ready. And I’m thinking that if I leave the stereo and all the lights on in her room… and leave a couple of towels and some dirty laundry trailing down the stairs… maybe I can just pretend she’s really still here. Or I can turn it all off, clean it all up and appreciate the yin and yang of being a parent.