By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
There is a book entitled The Night Before Kindergarten, by Natasha Wing that is read to parents to calm their fears about their babies going off to school. It got me thinking that we parents with children going off to college need our own book of comfort. Or at least a short story…

How has the time gone so quickly? I walk through your room touching a photo, a trophy, a stuffed animal and memories flood through me. Overwhelming as I think of the first time I held you in my arms, the feeling of wonder at being a parent.

There were many firsts along the way; moments of triumph and moments of heartache have all been etched in my mind. Each is profoundly stitched in a patchwork of memories that have brought us to this place.

The biggest question as I sit here tonight is, “Did I get it right?” Were my prayers enough? Did I read to you enough? Play games enough? Did I tell you I loved you enough?

Regrets of moments passed cannot take away from the great joy that has filled my life for the past 18 years. To watch you grow into an adult has been an amazing journey.

Now the next chapter begins and as sad as I am to let you spread your wings and fly, know in my heart it is time for you to soar to new heights. This new beginning will be hard on both of us as you will not be in the other room for our “chats.” Trust in yourself and know that you can do anything you put your mind to.

The core of you has been set and the path is leading you in the right direction. If you falter, know that my love is with you. No choices or decisions you make can diminish that love.

Favorite dinners, a bedroom full of memories and a family who loves you will be right where you left us.

The night before college enjoy every moment with a family who loves you unconditionally, friends who will be joining in the journey, and a faith in what tomorrow will bring.

Now…a moment to laugh and a memory to share.

When my oldest was in kindergarten we lived in Nashville. To paint a clear picture of life back then, I had three under age 5 and one on the way.

Being a cautious child, my girl would not ride the school bus; she wanted me to drive her to school each day.

One morning my girl decided that today she wanted to ride the bus. However, she had one stipulation. “Mommy must ride the bus with me.”

Big blue eyes, pony tails, arms crossed and foot tapping, the little tyrant waited for my answer looking up at me almost like a dare.

Blaming this on pregnant brain, I said, “Of course dear, Mommy will ride with you!”

Fortunately for me, my husband is a patient man. Smart, too, as who messes with a woman almost nine months pregnant? Exactly.

So off we go in the minivan to the bus stop.

Walking up the stairs of the bus, I explained our “situation” to the driver. She simply smiled at me and I’m sure she was thinking, “This woman is out of her cotton-picking mind.”

I walked, or waddled depending on how you look at it, back to a seat and beamed at my little girl. Isn’t this fun?

Who knew Nashville had so many turns and hills and on that creaky bus I felt every one of them. Keep smiling. To add to the experience, I was a freak show to many children that day.

One little girl decided to engage me in conversation.

“Hey lady, my mama has a baby. I pulled his umbilical cord off at Dillard’s bathroom the other day,” she tells me.

Oh, my. Thank you dear for sharing.

We made it to school and in the eyes of my little girl I was a hero.

She continued to be driven to school from that day on.

Jodi Rall is a special events coordinator and publicist who lives with her husband, four children, two dogs and various other pets in Brentwood. She has been known to play tennis. Contact her at jodi@brentwoodhomepage.com. Follow her "Jodi in the Bubble" blog by Clicking here.