I’ve got a lot going on. I don’t know how it all snuck up on me, but it has.
I lost a week at the end of April when my dad was in the hospital – maybe that’s how the time got away from me. All I know is, all of a sudden, it dawned on me that May is here and boy will it be an eventful month for our family!
This is going to be a crazy week. It’s all good stuff – but it’s all happening at once.
Here’s what is going on:
- Our oldest son, Patrick, turns 30 years old on Friday
- Our youngest son, Matt, is graduating from Messiah College on Saturday morning
- Our middle son, Grant, is flying to Europe for a 10-day vacation on Saturday night
- Matt will fly to LA, California, to begin a 10-week internship on Sunday morning
- I will be in a heap on the floor on Sunday afternoon
I’m only kidding about the last bullet. But I will be tired!
Now when you look at the list, it all seems kind of normal – doesn’t it? Children having birthdays, graduations, vacations, internships – they’re all good things and are no big deal. Right?
Wrong.
For moms, these milestones are a very, very big deal. Each and every one has intense emotion wrapped all around it.
We can’t believe our children are old as they are. It starts when they are one year old and then 10, 20, and so on. Birthdays, graduations – they are all bittersweet occasions.
We miss what was, but are filled with joyful anticipation to see what God will do next.
Grief and joy often appear together in a mother’s heart. It seems to be a condition we must learn to live with.
And when they go? Well, that’s another bittersweet occasion.
We are happy and grateful that the fruit of all our work has led to the first steps of independence. We are thankful that our children have the courage to go new places and try new things – even if their adventures take them far from home.
But… we worry.
We fret.
We imagine all kinds of things. We keep one eye open at night just to be sure someone is thinking about them while they are far away.
And we pray – oh my goodness do we ever pray.
Grief and joy often appear together in a mother’s heart, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Both emotions connect us to dependence on God who watches over our children as they grow and go.
We give our conflicted hearts to Him.
The time got away from me and suddenly May was here.
And it’s the same with my boys. The time got away from me and suddenly, it dawned on me that they are all grown up.
As I head into this week, I am intensely happy and sad all at the same time. Missing what was, but joyfully anticipating what comes next for each one.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Many Blessings,
Are you celebrating a ‘milestone’ with your children? Will you please leave a comment? How I may pray for you and your dear mama’s heart? Love to all. xoxo
