As I reflected on the last week...and started to process the fact that our oldest child is off at college for the very first time....I have been able to find a few more items to jot in my "treasures" journal...the 1000 gifts that God is showing me (based on the challenge of the book One Thousand Gifts)
.....the gift of an Evangelical Christian College....New England....peaceful setting to meditate, worship & praise, learn, study, work, grow, and fellowship.....even in this...though the missing of her leaves me with choked up throat and misty eyes.....she is in the right place...for this season....college.....
 |
| A.J. Gordon Chapel on Campus in MA image taken from usnews.rankingsreviews |
.....new team members...in a new classroom.....even in this....though difficult to make a change, a chance to learn something new and start a new adventure......touch new lives....new children.....even in this being thankful for a job with hours I love and staff I appreciate...
......beach house at Buzzards Bay and proud, silent turkeys meandering down shell-lined drives....bold, on the hunt but not hunted...protected by the Nature Preserve rules...even in this, in knowing that summer vacation is ending....enjoying the last days of a relaxed stance.....lazy days....even in this, finding the simple things to thank Him for....the sea glass....the ocean breezes.....
 |
| green sea glass on beach behind beach house |
 |
| wild turkeys at the beach house |
 |
| high tide in morning at the beach house around and behind the point |
.....3 plates not 4.....
 |
| image taken from turbosquid.com |
a quiet, neat bedroom, stuffed animals all lined up to greet her when she returns at Christmas.....even in this...in the missing of our oldest, in the quiet evenings, and quieter dinners...
even in this, our last baby heading off to junior high and adapting to life as an only child for awhile....
 |
| the ballerina at Cherry Plain State Park |
....even in this, there is peace and thankfulness that we have played a role.....parenting, teaching, molding, making, shaping, encouraging, disciplining, caring, hugging, loving....even in this.......a time to treasure......
7 comments:
Very quiet evenings here too..............
Loved this post, made me tear up.
Even though it has been 16 years since our oldest went away to college I still remember that feeling! Sharing in that bittersweet moment this morning with you and praying that the "sweet" will outweigh the "bitter" in your day!
Erin: thanks....i was choked up just writing it! It's so new..this quietness....
Debbie: welcome to Gold in the Clouds..not sure which Debbie you are! The sweet definitely outweighs the bitter...it helps tremendously that she is at an excellent school/safe campus surrounded by people who are seeking to follow Christ...that really does help me.
Oh the three plates hit me. That is what I found so hard when my oldest left for school. That empty place at the table. I never thought of the fact that Claire will have to get used to being an "only child" during the school year. Big hugs to both of you.
You'll have to tell us about your new placement once you have a chance to get comfortable with it. Change like that can be hard but I know God will nevr lead you where He won't go with you!
The three plates made me sad for you and made me think that as God planned, our babies to grow up even though it is momentarily sad, it's just as God has planned.
Susanne, yes I'm sure I'll be posting a little bit about that! :D I do have to be careful due to certain rules about posting things over the internet as an employee....but I'll def post about the change, at some point this month!
Michelle: I know!!God has a plan..He wants our children to grow up, be healthy emotionally, physically, mentally, educationally, spiritually....now we get to watch the fruits of our labors and pray they stick close to Christ! some do, some stray but i firmly believe their roots if planted deeply will pull them back up if they wander....
How sweet this is! I can relate, Faith. Even in this. Take care.
Post a Comment