Oh, For the Love of Philp pt. 2

(More gifts I have received from the boys.  Maracas from their trip to Mexico, a wall-mounting lizard from their trip to the Grand Canyon, and an orange rock the 12-year old purchased at a gift shop in Arizona.  "I got you an orange one because it's your favorite color.")

I recently broke the news to the boy:  at the end of Summer, I'll be moving to Idaho for school.  They took it a lot better than I thought they would.  "Okay.  Can So-and-So be our sitter again?"  Wow.  Thanks kid.  Not the reaction I was hoping for.
Two weeks later, though, things have begun to change.  I think the news of my leaving just took a little while to sink in.  The boys seem to bring up my big move everyday.  The 12-year old and I had a good conversation this week:

12-year old: Will you be gone forever?
Me: Of course not! I'll come back and visit.
12-year old: Why are you leaving again?
Me: I'm going to college. 
12-year old: College sucks.

I honestly think that's one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me!
And then there's the 13-year old.  As I mentioned in part 1, this kid and I have an awesome relationship.  He hated me at first, and then, out of the blue, we became best buds.  Our relationship is built on a lot of sarcasm and insults.  So when the 13-year old smiled and said "It's about time you're leaving!", I knew he was going to miss me.  Recently, he has asked me about what I am majoring in and why I decided to move to Idaho.  These questions were asked out of genuine care, not just genuine curiosity.
And finally, we come to the 6-year old, with whom I have spent the most time.  "You're leaving?!  You're not going to see us ever again?"  These are the questions I was expecting.  "You're going to miss my birthday?!" was the question I actually got.  This kid is weird about birthdays.  They are so sacred to him that only important people are allowed to attend.  So, he pretty much just told me I'm important to him.
To help him out with the transition, I made a countdown calendar to my last full day in Pennsylvania (only 84 more days!).  I also showed him a map of the United States so he could see how far apart Pennsylvania and Idaho are.  He told me he wants me to mail him a lizard for his birthday.  Priorities!  We finally agreed that we would Skype instead.
I love my parents.  I hate to say it, but I'm not worried about saying good-bye to them.  I've been ready for quite some time.  But the boys?  I was telling my dad the other day that it's normal to miss your child when they leave home.  But I've got it in reverse.  I am leaving my children (yes, I realize they're not actually my children.).  This is even more difficult.  The adult leaving with a feeling of guilt.  I have learned to love these boys more than I have ever loved anything (even my cat, and I love my cat a lot!).  Saying good-bye is going to be one of the most difficult things I'll ever do.  As much as I have disliked living in Pennsylvania for the past 12 years, a huge part of my heart will be staying there.  I'll have to come back and visit so it can continue to beat on.