homesick at home

I once read that you start saying goodbye to your child the moment you give birth.

Trusting another to watch them for an hour, their first crawl and first steps, the beginning of pre-school, start of kindergarten, first time sleeping away from home—on and on the goodbyes go.

The initial times my younger son and then daughter went off to weeklong, overnight summer camps were big goodbyes. And, of course, taking my oldest to college for the very first time—that was the biggest goodbye yet. Somehow my body was able to produce tears the entire four hour drive back home. Just when I thought there weren't any left, they would start flowing down my cheeks once again.

This summer marks two more goodbyes.

Brett graduated from college in May and took an actuarial job far away in Orlando, FL. Even though I couldn't possibly be more proud, when the moment came for him to actually back out of our driveway in his packed car, well, let's just say I'm not stoic in those moments. Nope, I'm pretty much the exact opposite. I made it very difficult for him to leave, but what can I say? I love that guy like crazy.

And, today, we just returned from taking Collin to Grand Rapids, MI for the start of his university education. I (mostly) held it together until we returned to our car to head home, but I've definitely proved to both my boys that I'm terrible at goodbyes.

Now, walking through the house and his room, I don't know if this heart of mine can take it. I’ll just miss that wonderful boy around here so much. What can I say? I love that guy like crazy.

I can't wait to someday ask God why He created our maternal instincts so strong, with His complete knowledge that one day we'd have to open our arms wide and let them go.

I've been walking around the house, into both of my sons’ empty rooms, and have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I feel terribly homesick ... in my own home.

And I know full well there are multitudes of parents who have been forced to say their final and last goodbyes to their children and release them right back to you, Lord, and with that thought, all I can say is thank you.

Thank you, God, for these blessed years we've had with our three precious children, and thank you that we enjoy such close, loving relationships with each one.

As much as my heart hurts right now, what an incredible blessing it is that we have a pre-teen, a teenager and a young adult we can call "ours."

I can look back on all the great memories of their childhoods with sadness for wanting more time, or I can feel such gratitude for what was and what is still to come.

I've learned that I have to allow myself to let the tears fall when needed—only then can I move forward.

And this next stage of life will be great, for all of us.

We still have the blessing of our youngest at home, and she and I begin a new chapter as we start homeschooling for the first time next week. I can't wait to spend so much time each and every day with my daughter; to learn, grow, and share life right alongside her.  What can I say? I love that girl like crazy.

Thank you God for the joy, the tears, the laughter, and the love.  

I'm thankful for life in all its fullness—what was and what's still to come.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.  A time to cry and a time to laugh.  A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.  A time to search and a time to lose.  A time to keep and a time to throw away.  A  time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace. "      Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

"You will never be completely at home again.  Because part of your heart will always be elsewhere.  That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."     -Miriam Adeney

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