Things are a lot simpler....

...when kids are young.

My sister emailed me to see if I had an extra backpack for my nephew in high school. I win them at wheelchair tennis tournaments sometimes, so that's an easy request. She's getting the kids ready for school - one son in high school, the other in elementary school.

My brothers, on the other hand, each have their eldest son going off to college for the first time this week. Both young men are going to be hours away from home this year, whereas last year their mothers, too, were shopping for new clothes and backpacks.

Now things are quite different. Orientation day. Packing up enough stuff to fill a dorm room. Dealing with younger siblings left at home. Working out travel plans, meal plans, phone calls, computer access.

Saying goodbye. Not the "goodbye, see you after football practice" but the "goodbye, see you on Parent's Day".

Reminding them to eat right. Not the "eat your broccoli, I made that fresh" but the question over the phone "Are you eating right?" - and having no clue what the answer is, except the "Sure, Mom"..."Sure, Dad".

Parents (and even aunts) need to remember that every late August and September, little boys who are now young men trudge off to college - and stay there. They survive and thrive.

I need to go find that backpack.