Awwww that makes me so happy (that you found the note reassuring and the mom pen pal parts— not the part in which you feel the loss of your son, for which I feel for you deeply). I have to tell you: I think this phase that you’re in, when you’re anticipating the absence and every moment feels acutely meaningful, is actually harder than the actual absence. It’s like purgatory. You’re grieving, but mad at yourself for squandering the time he’s still home on grieving; the loss you’re about to face is in front of you constantly. It’s impossible to be present. But somehow, and this was true not just for me but for most of my friends whose kids have left, the anticipation was worse than the reality. Yes, I crawled into my daughter’s bed every morning for a week after she left and cried, but once that passed, I reveled in watching her embrace her new life. The good parts made the pain dissipate. It becomes bearable. I promise. XO