Goodbyes With No Commas

There are childbirth classes, parenting classes, mothers of preschoolers groups, I found resources on sibling rivalry, setting limits, education, new baby adjustment, mannerschoresaggressionpotty traininghowtotalktoteensgraduationpartyplanning because that's what life feels like....no punctuation to catch your breath.  The thing is, I couldn't find that helpful pamphlet on how not to feel all dizzy as you put your hand in the air and wave with a brave smile that you don't altogether feel when you watch the tail lights of their car leave your driveway.

This month found me sending a daughter off to set sail in the mountains of Colorado, with no job and no definite place to live.  Her sister and brother in law live there but Hannah was still forging her own path.  I swell proud inside that my girl, my lovely soft Cinderella-like girl, caught courage by the tail and formed it into an adventure.  My heart beats steady to hear her put her adventure into the hands of her Creator and ask Him to chart her course.  She called me today, a week from when she left, joy tumbling over onto itself in her words.  She's found a job, the "perfect job for her" and she'sfoundfriendsandhadlunchwithhersister and....I catch her excitement and wrap myself up in the warmth of watching her story unfold.

Noah and Hannah

On the heels of that, my son, Noah, called.  He's just settled into his new place in Montana.  The boy who always told me he wanted to live in the mountains someday, finds himself sleeping under his western sky tonight,  quietly satisfied in knowing he made his dream come true.   His voice sounds sure and manly through the phone and his quiet confidence makes me know he will be alright.  I marvel at who he has become and his bravery inspires me to take risks in life; to savor the unexpected more.  He is a person I can admire, and all the more because he is my boy.

I'm reminded of a short story I used to read to my children;  A Christmas Memory, set in the 1930's about a boy and an elderly woman who is his distant cousin and best friend. They don't have much money so she gives him a dime to go to the picture show so he can come home and "tell her the stories".   I find myself now eagerly listening to the "stories" my children call home and tell me.  This business of raising small people to grow up and fly on their own, spins your head right round and squeezes your heart tight in your chest.  And it happensasquicklyasthis.

I savor the yesterdays and miss them for sure; but I don't live there.  I help them pack and wave brave and breathe in deep as I wipe away the pride that's spilling down my cheeks.  I cheer loudly when they find their dreams and catch my breath when they unwrap them with me on the phone.  Being a mother of these adventure seekers, these faith filled people who take hold of life leaves me standing in awe.  And now that I have more time to ponder, I've found my puctuation!