Monday, May 3, 2010

She Reminded Me Today...

...and now I am sad.
I need to back up a bit...
These three precious girls have been best friends since babyhood. Our family's only see each other once in a while, since these very special friends work and live in Mexico; they are missionaries in Mexico.  Aspen, the one on the right, is truly Kalyn's best friend; her God-given sister...and, really this whole family has been adopted by us and are family to us all.
Here is a picture of of my sweet sister and her four children with my 10 (because Jace is in Texas now). Kalyn's precious sister friend has been asking her to come to Mexico to spend time with her, and this year, we felt like the LORD said "yes". So my precious 1st born daughter will be leaving us to be with one of the very few families I would trust her to - in Mexico - for TWO MONTHS (brother Britt, I know you understand...take care of my baby girl please).  And she reminded me that she leaves in four weeks. I have been trying to ignore this, but tonight, when she reminded me, I really began to feel sad. I will miss her so much. Yes, she helps tons here in the home, but that is not why I will miss her...I will miss HER. How she loves to wrap up in her green blanket; how she loves to read and can often be found curled up in a sunny spot in the house like a cat; how she and I just know what needs to be done to take care of things in a day; how when I am stressed, she give me a "chill pill" hug and I don't feel stupid. My daughter has become my friend and I will miss her this summer. 
To those mothers who have watched your children grow up and "start" leaving, I know you understand, and to those who are coming behind me, here is your glimpse into that journey. How I rejoice at this opportunity for Kalyn to spend time with her sister on the mission field (by the way, Kalyn wants to be a missionary, and has since she was four!!!). And, just like when Jace drove away with his little car full of 18 years of his life, I cry happy tears, and sad tears, and proud tears. And for me, the mother, there is one overriding emotion...I am so grateful that I was blessed by the LORD to be her mother. 


I asked her if she would leave her green blanket, so that we can breath it each day as we miss her...she said no, so I still have a few weeks to work on that. However, I will probably lose...she loves that blanket as much as she loves me!

18 comments:

  1. Hugs sweet friend! Lexi is leaving for 14 days soon and that seems like forever to me already! I will MISS her too!

    Love,
    Jill
    PS Great shot of her with Keshawn in the green blanket :-)

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  2. awww! i can only imagine how hard it is for a mother to see her child "leave", but at the same time how proud you are of them. praying for you, shonni :))

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  3. I'm one behind you and I can't even imagine!! =)

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  4. Oh Shonni I can imagine how hard this mush be. It's a bittersweet to watch our children get older and venture out into the world. At least she will be with a family you completely trust.
    What a blessing from the Lord to have a daughter like Kalyn.

    {{hugs}}

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  5. I can only imagine...even now I think of what it would feel like when my "little lambs" start leaving the fold.

    What a blessing though that Kaylin will be with "family."

    Love from the North,
    Summer

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  6. Bittersweet... I am so excited for Kalyn but so sad for you! I am not ready for Christie to leave for school next year, but I guess its like you said with Jace... you let them go and know in your heart that God is with them and you did what you needed to do in raising them.
    What a wonderful experience for Kalyn... you are such an awesome Mommy!! Oh... and can't you cut the blanket in half??
    Love you and praying for you guys!!

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  7. Been there. Done that. So many times already. :)

    People have commented to me, "Oh, they must help around the house a lot. You must miss that." Well ... yes ... they do help around the house, but that is NOT what I miss about my Big Kids. I miss the late night chats. I miss the card games. I miss the RELATIONSHIP that God has given me with each and every one of my 6 young adult children.

    We started our Big Kid Good-byes in a very hard way ... within 1 month we sent Big Kid #1 off to Iraq to serve in the army, and we sent Big Kid #2 off to Africa for 2 months. #1 had already been stationed in Georgia for awhile, but we had gone to visit. #2 had gone to YWAM 3 months before, but it was in our same state ... so the going to Iraq and Africa were the BIG good-byes, even though they'd been away from home for awhile already.

    BLESSINGS to Kalyn as she follows her dreams and passions, and visits her precious friends (whom we were blessed to meet at your house last fall).

    I'm thinking the big green blanket must be too big to take, don't you think? If she takes it, she won't have room to bring home all the things she will buy there. So, she'd better leave it home for safe keeping.

    :) :) :)

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  8. When the time comes, God will give you the grace for the time she is away. May God bless both of you as you lean on Him harder and with a new level of love. ;-)

    xoxo
    Kimmie
    mama to 8
    one homemade and 7 adopted!

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  9. Oh, sweet friend, I'm so sorry you are in the beginning stages of...letting go. Ouch. I am right behind you as Brenden only has one more year of high school and I can hardly stand the thought of him moving on to the next chapter in life.

    But what a wonderful opportunity for your sweet girl! She will absolutely love coming home and spending hours and hours telling you all about her experiences. It will be treasured time, for sure.

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  10. I can't understand what you feel like, but I can imagine what you might be feeling with Kalyn leaving...However, I know you will do fine!

    As for her, I am so excited for her. I also feel called to ministry, and would love to do that as a foreign missionary...Nevertheless, God has not yet provided an opportunity to go on a mission trip and pursue it. For now, I just need to trust him while I wait!

    Hugs and blessings to you,
    Josh

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  11. My mommy heart aches for you but also rejoices with you in this wonderful, precious daughter/friend.

    May God bless her time in Mexico and make the days fly for you until she is back home in the nest.

    Much love!

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  12. Oh tears and hugs...I am with you. It's such a bittersweet journey watching our sweet ones spread their wings and learn to fly.

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  13. You will miss her! I have had 4 leave the home- it breaks my heart every time. I adore them so much, such blessings in my life! Thank you dear Lord!

    What I do love though is to see how the others step up to the plate and fill in. It does give others a chance to accept more responsibility.

    What a wonderful experience she will have and she be with family! Best part- she's coming home to you in 2 months! PTL!

    Hang in there!
    ((( big hug)))

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  14. What a precious post. I am not far behind you. Although a bittersweet time for you ... what an incredible opportunity for Kalyn to spread her wings and shine His light!
    Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
    Kim

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  15. wah...I do know how it feels and some days I just get overwhelmed with longing for my first born. But then...it is so comforting to know that He is where God wants him to be, and I know it will be the same for you. Such a blessing for Kayln to be able to spend some time on the mission field!! what an amazing opportunity to serve God! Big hugs!

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  16. I will pray that Jesus works through your beloved daughter to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those she meets in Mexico. As well as for His protection over her.
    And I will pray for His peace to comfort your hurting, mother's heart.
    Thank you for being willing to say yes that she may serve our God when He asked.... "Whom, shall I send..."
    Love,
    Daleea

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  17. What a wonderful opportunity for your daughter, but I say that knowing that if I were in your situation, I'd be crying buckets. My babes are 10 and under, and I panic when I realize I only have a few more years left with the oldest ones. It's just not long enough to suit us . . .

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