Financial advisors tell us that the two biggest “raises” baby-boomer parents  ever get are when we pay (a) off the mortgage, and (b) make the final tuition payment.

So I should have been cheering as I wrote that last check a few days ago, right?  Instead,  I cried.

True, part of me was thrilled to be finally finished paying unspeakable sums of tuition for the youngest of my three children.  But the other part of me felt an ache. With this last payment, a chapter in our lives is closing, and although an incredibly expensive one, it’s been worth every dollar.

Of course, part of this tearful feeling is that not having “one in college” makes me feel older – and I’d rather not admit that, so we won’t discuss!

But why shouldn’t I feel emotional? College had been a major investment of time, money energy – and agita. Selecting which schools to apply to, waiting to hear about acceptance or rejection, planning for the launch, four years of attendance, had spanned almost 15 years between my oldest and youngest.  And, I had been planning – and dreaming – for many years more. [click to continue…]

{ 3 comments }