This month, People to People asked one of our staff members, Richard Peifer, to share his reflections and those of his wife, Lois, as their last child graduates from high school and prepares to leave for college this fall.

I find myself crying a little more these days. Not big cries. Those will come later. It’s mostly just private moments with a lump in my throat and tears welling up when the realization hits me that he’s leaving – my “baby boy” (who is almost as tall as I am, and faster, and stronger) is about to head off to college.

It’s not that I didn’t feel this way when my daughter left five years ago. But, somehow, it is different this time. He’s my son, and we share things that I didn’t share with her. Mostly, though, it’s because he’ll be the last to leave home. (more…)