today's Gospel Matthew 12:50
today's the day
after a night of rain
and twenty years of days together
[days when I was never very far from our youngest child
the longest and furthest was walking distance
to his dorm for his first year of college....]
but this day
we will drive him to the airport
kiss him good bye and put him on a plane
to Europe for the next 5 months!
our 9 pound baby is now an almost six foot tall man
beginning his junior year in college
with a semester in Italy
and a preamble of time with his brother and his family in Germany
and a pilgrimage along the cammino di Assisi
I'm excited for him
I loved it there
Italy with my husband for our 25th
Germany with our kids and grandbaby
I was 'old' when I first visited Europe
he is young
how will he see it all?
how will it affect him?
contribute to his life experience....
he's already been to Germany once
for World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005
with his brother and the Gallagher girls!
he has experienced that feeling of getting off a plane
and not knowing where to go....
not being able to read the signage
or has he?
he was with a group...and had his big brother....
in a way he still will
the other big brother will be meeting him at the airport
the married big brother
and he will meet his sister in law...
and his new little nephew....
and then in two weeks the other brother will join them....
the three brothers...together again...
it'll be a nice transition for him
and then he'll be on his own...
when I was his age
I was a scared little girl still!
I had just graduated from art school
and my mom and her husband were moving south
to begin a nursery business
I didn't have a job
or a place to live
or the courage to go find them
so
I moved with my family...
I grew up a little there
became reacquainted with a long lost cousin
who spoke words of inspiration
and encouragement
into my heart and mind and life
and somhow set my feet on solid ground
our son is so much healthier...
stronger
braver
than I ever was
or am....
how did he learn that?!?
how did I mother four healthy independent whole children
out of my brokenness?!?
I know it is
by the grace of God
He brought my wonderful 'husband to be' into my life
to love me
love me
love me
and then He came into my life
and showed me where that love originated
how happy He has made my heart
thank you, Lord God
be with our baby
thank you for the very gift of his life
into our lives
he is ever in Your loving hands
lead him
guide him
protect him
as You have done all of his days
reveal Yourself to him
through the wonder of Your creation
open his eyes to You
and to what You have purposed for him...
and lead him safely home
1 comment:
Roots and wings, Ali, roots and wings...
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