How to say "good-bye!"
Matthew just walked out the door, car loaded to the brim. Yes, it's that time of year again when he heads back to college.
This isn't his first year away. I've already experienced that. Why then do I find myself overcome with emotion once again? Okay, I admit it. I cried like a baby--only after he was gone, of course.
Perhaps it's because this may well be the last time he leaves. I'm not sure what next summer holds. As a ministry major he may well be interning in some type of ministry full-time--undoubtedly far from home.
How does time pass so quickly? Where did my cute little, dinosaur loving, Power Ranger playing boy go? It seems like just yesterday that I sent him off to kindergarten, standing tall, waving goodbye as he entered Mrs. Furkin's class room.
And so, this video by Michael W. Smith really stuck a chord with my heart. Actually, it hit me so hard that it was amazing I could see it through the tears. Just how do we let go and say "good-bye?" If anyone has the answer of how to do this easily I'd like to know.
This makes me think of God, that awful moment when He had to say good-by to His son Jesus as He hung on the cross--knowing that He was doing it out of the deep love--for you and for me. Frankly I can't imagine His sorrow. When I think of His sacrifice, my own pales in comparison. I am in such awe of His love for me that it makes me drop to the ground in humble thanksgiving.
So, it's my turn to say "good-bye." And even though I don't like it, it's time to let my son go. After all, he's in good hands--the nail scarred hands of my Savior!
"Good-bye, Matthew. I love you!!. . . . . .Mom"
3 comments:
For me, the new steps with my firstborn were always the hardest. When she was leaving for her first year of college I cried myself to sleep every night for three weeks - before she even left! It seemed to be the beginning of the end of an era of my mothering. After college she moved home for a year, but then the day came when my husband helped her to move to Florida. Wedding plans were on the horizon and I knew she would never live at home again. I cried all day. It really was the end of an era. Grief is good sometimes, even if it hurts like crazy. When you love deeply, you hurt deeply too.
Aww Cheryl--
you've got me typing through the tears--the ones that just spill out when we sit for a moment in that immense deep profound love we have for our children--its painful yet so beautiful at the same time--
--You're such a Mom-XXOO--paye
Oh Cheryl, this just resonated in my heart and brought on the tears...again. I'm hanging on until the blessings ( as Beth Moore says to do) from this season of letting go come. I hope they come in the form of really cute grandkids.
God bless you,
Kathy
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