As I write, the 10 days without Mouse are almost over.

It's the longest we've been apart.

I was not nearly as worried about her as I expected to be, mostly because I knew she was with people who would take care of her - and keep her from doing anything foolish.

Also, though, I was just really thrilled that she got to experience this kind of adventure.

Several years ago for Spring Break, we sent her to see a moved-away really good friend on a flight alone from Denver to New Orleans with a connecting flight. Even though we arranged for the "unaccompanied minor" escort deal from gate to gate, I was still a nervous wreck. In fact, there are times now I can't even believe I let that happen.

On her first day away last week, she left a message from the Denver airport saying their flight was delayed because of a "mechanical." Then she texted me when they arrived safely in Miami.

And she texted me again later that day when they were on the ship.

I had a copy of their daily itinerary, so I checked weather reports and imagined the fun she must have been having.

Then Wednesday, I ran home for lunch to listen to the Pokes on the radio and got a completely unexpected text that said, without punctuation, "were in puerto rico went parasailing yesterday."

Because I was in the car when the message arrived, but not yet driving, I responded quickly, asking if they were having an awesome time.

And the response was "were good."

Never is there a danger that she'll get too excited about stuff.

So I didn't clean much and I didn't do large-scale projects that the week alone would have been perfect to do.

Monday, we went to dinner and "CATS," which I love every time I see. I don't even like cats and I cried when Grizabella sang "Memory," and I cried when she rose on her spaceship deal at the end. It was marvelous, and again I felt so lucky to be able to see that kind of stuff in Casper.

Tuesday, I visited the friend and we cooked pizza and watched two movies, start to finish, back to back. Stunning. No projects, no schedules, no must-appear events. And I cried at the end of each movie, although I liked "16 Blocks," far better than "Catch and Release."

And then the friend went back to work, and the dog and I watched basketball and more basketball.

Meanwhile, the end of school honors and invitations have been filling the mailbox, and apparently 10 days away has served its purpose.

I know now that she who was "born with one foot out the door," is soon to begin the next adventure of her life.

And that makes these 10 days, with her "good," and me maintaining and not weeping in agony at her absence or wringing my hands with worry, priceless.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520; sallyann.shurmur@trib.com or see her profile and blog at my.trib.com/Sal/blog