Except for my husband fielding media calls on his cell phone for work, our house is uncharacteristically quiet. Our dog is peering out the front window, watching people walk by. Occasionally, a car passes. I can actually hear birds chirping.
Last night, our oldest left for camp with his laptop, our Canon camera, his hiking boots and his Book of Hours. He was so excited that he forgot to say goodbye when a family friend picked him up. He is going to Vermont for nearly a week with Gioventù Studentesca, the high school youth group of Communion and Liberation.
This morning, our 11 year old left for few days for 4H camp in Sussex County, New Jersey. Our neighbor, whose son is a dear friend of his, is driving them. Our son made sure the dad wasn't looking when he gave me a goodbye hug. I reminded him to shower and brush his teeth and then the car drove off.
That both boys are away from home at the same time is coincidental. It has never happened before in the life of our little family.
One of the Psalms from today's mid-morning prayers, Psalm 121, moved me:
It is a privilege that my husband and I can afford to offer our boys these small adventures outside the nest. I am happy for them and I am looking forward to hearing their stories when they return. For now, I am enjoying the quiet. A few minutes ago, my husband quipped: "You know, at some point we are really going to miss them when they are gone." He paused. "But not right now."
Last night, our oldest left for camp with his laptop, our Canon camera, his hiking boots and his Book of Hours. He was so excited that he forgot to say goodbye when a family friend picked him up. He is going to Vermont for nearly a week with Gioventù Studentesca, the high school youth group of Communion and Liberation.
This morning, our 11 year old left for few days for 4H camp in Sussex County, New Jersey. Our neighbor, whose son is a dear friend of his, is driving them. Our son made sure the dad wasn't looking when he gave me a goodbye hug. I reminded him to shower and brush his teeth and then the car drove off.
That both boys are away from home at the same time is coincidental. It has never happened before in the life of our little family.
One of the Psalms from today's mid-morning prayers, Psalm 121, moved me:
"He will not let your foot slip:
he will not doze, your guardian.
Behold, he will not doze or sleep,
the guardian of Israel.
The Lord is your guardian, the Lord is your shade;
he is at your right hand.
By day the sun will not strike you;
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will guard you from all harm; the Lord will guard your life.
The Lord will guard your coming and your going
both now and for ever."
It is a privilege that my husband and I can afford to offer our boys these small adventures outside the nest. I am happy for them and I am looking forward to hearing their stories when they return. For now, I am enjoying the quiet. A few minutes ago, my husband quipped: "You know, at some point we are really going to miss them when they are gone." He paused. "But not right now."
Allison, I love you and your writing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMichelle! How beautiful to see you here. And...you started a blog. Keep on writing, sister!
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