I would be nothing without you.

At what point do roles reverse, and the children stop looking to the parents as their inspiration, and the parents turn to look at their children for their hopes and dreams?

Si left this morning for Kandersteg with approximately 45 Scouts and Explorers and 14 assorted adults. I've stood at this bus twice before. Boy left in 2006, and Boy and Si took the trip on 2009. Each time I have behaved impeccably including walking on the bus before it leaves and declaring my undying love for each of my Boys in front of everyone to their great delight.

This morning, it was a little harder.

Tooli turns 18 on Monday, big birthday.

Boy leaves for America on Friday, for 9 months, again.

I took this photo of the three of them together, just before Boy said to Si, "See Ya Next Year, Pa".

That was too much for me. A farewell in front of 40 parents and assorted Scouts.

I buried my head in his chest and wiped my snotty nose in his badges and blinked away the tears.

And then they were all on the bus, and I just made it on to the bus before they shut the door, and shouted...

"Oi, Simon, I love you".

And he came forward and said "I love you too, behave yourself".

And everyone went "Aw"