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It’s time for Five Minute Friday over on Katemotaung’s blog! Set the timer, write for five minutes, and post! Today’s word prompt:
Here.
Go.
It’s a scary thing, teaching our kids and then letting them go.
I remember the driving days. (Just the other day my son said, “Remember the days when you guys were teaching us to drive?”)
Fear and trepidation, I tell ya.
My oldest got to cart around the rest to school and other functions while I
….stayed home and worried. (I was supposed to be getting stuff done.)
The story goes that one day when she picked up my youngest two from school, the youngest was still putting her stuff in the car and oldest began to pull away from the loading zone.
“I’M STILL HERE!!!!!” Came a voice from the back.
Luckily, oldest realized the situation and applied the brakes.
Mom learned of this story much later…
And now, they are all over the map, those kids.
The youngest is in Bermuda on a summer counseling trip with Word of Life.
The middle is in Pennsylvania, with a similar ministry.
The son is in South Carolina with extended family on vacation.
The oldest is about 20 minutes away, packing her brains out for…
another move.
In with me.
And so, she, her husband, and number one grandson will live
here.
During transition.
Next week, I get to see my middle who’s been gone all summer, sonny will return from vacay, oldest will be here,
…and baby will still be in Bermuda.
All of the family will be here
…except her.
And so it goes. The transition into empty nesting.
It’s not easy
But it’s where I am.
It’s here.
STOP.
{There’s so much more I want to say on this subject. But then, I already have. You can read about it here.}
Linking up today with:
It is never easy to let our children go, but yet it can be rewarding to watch them grow into adulthood and watch God's plans unfold for them. I only have one who has left the next, married and given my a grandson. Another adult son still at home, along with two teens who keep me on my toes. Have a blessed weekend.
I can relate! My second oldest just started driver's ed this week. She's the 2nd of 8. How will I survive? The first time my oldest son drove alone he called to ask which movie to rent and I panicked because I assumed he was calling to say he crashed. My mom brain always jumps to the worst case scenario.
I just entering that stage and it's not always a pleasant one. My oldest is going back to college on the other side of the country soon. My next oldest is graduating from high school and another is not far behind. It's here that I'm at and I'm so glad He is faithful to us in every stage. (Stopping by FMF) Happy Friday to you!
You have four like me, Barbie! And a grandson! 🙂 and YES, it is fulfilling to see them grow and flourish. I'm working through it. God is faithful!
Elizabeth, it would seem you have a long ways to go! And YES – my brain rushes ahead too! I can soooo relate to that statement. Hang in there, girlfriend!
Awww, Ruthie, it must be such a mixed blessing having all the kiddos out of the nest. You must miss them something terrible, even as you're learning how to live in this new place.
As a mom who's still in the throes of raising pre-teens, the empty nest years seem so far off. But, I know they will sneak up on me when I don't expect them . . .as I stand up with number one son when he earns his next Boy Scout rank, as I cheer my voice hoarse for number two son's football (or whatever sport he lands on) team.
Thank you for the reminder to be all here, in each moment I have my boys.
Enjoyed your post. Stopping by from FMF. 🙂
praying for you.
I feel your pain, Rachel! I'm glad it comes in stages though, kinda prepares us but by bit through God's orchestration. Hang in there!
Thank you for stopping by, Jeanne! And yes, it certainly will sneak up on you before you know it! That's what happened to me. I'm still in shock. But God is faithful, and journaling about it has gotten me through (alongside the Lord)!
Thank you so much, Denise!
This reminds me of my siblings and myself. The four of us each live in a different state and rarely see each other. It's amazing how one moment we're children and then the next moment we're adults with our own children. Thank you for this wonderful post! Visiting as you neighbor from FMF.
I will definitely go read "the rest of the story." YSFAM xo
Time surely does fly! And yes – I do believe all four of my children will be spread all over the map – as in, the WORLD map…ACK!! Thank you for your kind words, Samantha!
Thanks for reading, Mimi! 😉
Ohhhhh, I hear you! When someone asks me how all of my family is doing, it takes me awhile to stop and think of where they all are and what they are doing at the moment! lolol! But I'm actually looking forward to a little bit quieter house as it's been busy busy busy for so many years and I'm getting tired! lolol!
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
#FMF
Ruthie, prayers are with you during this time of transition. I am sure it is so very hard. Thanks for stopping by my place this week.
Thank you, Tara! It is hard but God is giving His grace. I'm learning to accept it. Always good to connect with you!
Ruthie!
What a clever post and so much fun. I fondly remember being the oldest and getting to "cart around" the others to school. And congratulations on grandchild number two! How wonderful!
God's blessings on all of you as you live in the same home again but entirely different flow.
Love,
Tammy