“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
~ Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie
Tomorrow we say goodbye to our teenager.
He’s off back to his 2nd year of University and can’t wait to be there – he has effectively left home and his mum and I have had to come to the realisation that our baby has left home.
For his part he can’t wait to leave.
He doesn’t see the pain his seeming nonchalance about departure is causing.
He doesn’t even want to hang around for his birthday in 9 days time!
For our part we knew and prayed for this day to come (and for those unaware of some of his back story then see here). We just didn’t expect it to happen before he’d finished at University. Whilst we are hurting inside we are overjoyed that he’s moving on to the next part of his story. Some of this move has been pushed upon him – circumstances at church that make him feel a virtual stranger but most of it is down to his group of friends.
He’s made good friends with five or six on the same course as him and they are all moving (or have already) into a house that they’ll share for the next year. These friends don’t have names as such – they are all known by their nicknames such as weasel; slightly mad; beermonkey and others!
Weasel thought he was returning today! He was gutted that he wasn’t.
So son … know that we’ll miss you but know that you go with our blessings.
Know too that we love you. You were our fighter. Our tester of faith. Our miracle. Our testament.
Know too, that whatever you do and wherever you go you will always be our child and there will always be room “at the inn” for you.
We pray that you find “your story” in God’s greater story – you know well the words prophesied over you and we can’t wait to see what you do with, for and through God.
Go well our baby boy – we love you.
Mum n Dad x
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”
~ Irish Blessing
When I was that age and off to university I couldn't wait either. At the time I was excited rather than sad at the prospect of leaving home. After a month or so I realised what I had left behind and I'm sure your son will be just the same.
Thanks Lee.