First, the bad. Let’s just get that out of the way, shall we?
Tori left this morning to head back to Texas for college. After 18 and 1/2 years of her living in our home, her “home” will become a dorm room the size of a closet that she will share with another human being. We kind of got used to having her around so she will be horribly missed and we will have a long adjustment period getting used to this new phase of our life. If that’s even possible.
I’m not sure that a mom or any parent with a heart ever gets accustomed to telling their children good bye. I will, we will miss her like crazy! As her parents, we have spent the last 18 years caring for, feeding, nurturing, counseling, I feel like a piece of my heart and soul are being ripped away. Jakeb and Anna will miss their sister like crazy. It’s just not going to seem right to not have her around. The dynamics of how we live day to day and experience things without her will change and that’s a little hard to stomach.
The Ugly?
Oh, the ugly cry…. My nose and eyes are so incredibly puffy from the tears over this previous night and I’m sure today will only bring more of the same. Maybe even a week or month or four.
The Good? Saving the best for last, of course.
We know this is right. She is ready to fly. To figure out how life works on her own. It’s time. Knowing this, though, certainly does not ease the pain but it does afford us His peace to rest in.
We are so thankful that she got to come to Singapore with us this summer and experience all of the new things with us. It’s been a great summer! She has an unusual amount of stamps in her passport for a normal American 18 year old and we just think that’s cool. She has her room to come home to and she will be able to relate to things when we tell her what we’ve done and where we’ve gone.
We had a fun last week with Tori. Pedicures, finding a couple of new places, eating at Ambers and Din Tai Fung, Indian lime juice, reflexology, fish spa, watching movies and shopping. This was very good!
Another good is that she will get to see all of our family and friends that we’ve missed so much over this summer. I’m jealous.
There is definitely more good than bad and ugly so I think that counts as another “good”.
Today, a box of tissues will be my faithful companion. Tomorrow and until December, when she comes for the holiday, Skype and my cell phone will be my best friend.
Please pray for travel safety for Tori today and anytime you think of her as she begins this new and exciting chapter of her life. Thanks!
