An old Carole King song has been playing in my mind all day today. There’s a reason for that.
All three of my kids are away. All exactly where they should be at this time in their life.
But it doesn’t always make it easy for us, and today was one of those difficult days.
Nate was moving to a new dorm. He was trying to figure out all the ins and outs –and getting people to help him move all his stuff across the road. He did great! And, he did it without mom and dad there. We wanted to be there…but we were far away. (not too far, but far). It was a learning & growing experience for him.
Later on in the evening I talked with our first baby. She had just finished a long day of taking care of sick people in a Cincinnati hospital. That’s a long way from ME MN. She was feeling the dreaded realization that she has to work both Thanksgiving and Christmas — and can’t get enough days off in a row to “come home”. Although I tried to comfort her, and send her tired bones to bed — I knew she was probably thinking: “It would be so fine to see your face at my door”. And it didn’t help to know, that “she’s so far away”.
Our kids have a much better grasp on life than I did at their age. They seem so much more capable of handling the curves that come their way, and the challenges. Somehow, they got these amazing genes that allow them to overcome the life annoyances and come out on top.
They also have a momma that prays for them a lot.
Nate – you did great today! Enjoy your new private (and quiet) room! Thank the guys for me! (Danae – thanks for helping big brother out!)
Cara – hang in there! We’ll figure something out. We’ll be together somehow! You’ve been through tougher stuff than this! We are very proud of your independence and can-do spirit!
So far Away
Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn’t help to know that you’re just time away
Long ago I reached for you, and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
How I wish I could, but you’re so far away
One more song about moving along the highway
Can’t say much of anything that’s new
If I could only work this life out my way
I’d rather spend it being close to you
But you’re so far away
Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn’t help to know you’re so far away
Yeah, you’re so far away
and far away stinks!
