Hattie discovered in middle school that she really loves studying languages. So today I said goodbye to her as she boarded a bus with other kids from her school, and a few teachers, for a 2 week exchange program in France. She'll be staying with a French student host and her family in the city of Nantes, attending school with her, and generally doing things tourists do in France. Hattie worked her butt off last summer to earn the money to go on this trip. Since she's a working jazz musician/vocalist, she was fortunate to be able to book plenty of gigs during the summer- and also had a day job as a camp counselor. The trip cost her about $2000, but the hard work paid off and she was able to earn enough to make it happen.
Hattie, as it turns out, will also be turning 17 next week while she's in France. I was a little sad when I first realized that she wouldn't be home for her birthday - but it hit me a whole lot harder as I drove away after they boarded the bus for the airport. I'm trying not to dwell too much on the fact that this will be the first birthday in Hattie's lifetime that we haven't spent together. Gulp.
I'm trying to focus on how cool it will be that she'll always remember turning 17 in France. Most of our birthdays are forgotten blurs, this'll be one for the records. Still, as I said in my last post - independence really is a bitch sometimes. Joyeux anniversaire kid, we'll celebrate via skype.
No comments:
Post a Comment