"My baby is gone!" "I don't care how old you are or that you are a Marine your still my baby and I worry". Yep, I said those words to my 6'1 Marine who is 21 years old. I know he is not a baby obviously but, I worry about him as if he is. Now having said these words to my baby girl of 5.3 and 18 years old was when I got the reality check. My little 100 lb baby girl turned around and looked up at me and said, "mom, I know you worry about me but, if you hadn't done such a good job I wouldn't be able to be out on my own". Wow! A compliment and a slap at the same time. I did such a good job she is gone. I cried, yep just like a baby a big ugly cry. When your children leave either for good or just for college or military training its not easy. In fact it sucks big time. On the bright side you can keep an open communication with them and LEARN to appreciate the good side. Like when you see them succeed! Or when they come to you for adv