FROM MY JOURNAL: off to school
Dearest son,
It seems so strange, not having you here. Just a few days ago you left for college, and though it is not far and you’ve been commuting for the last few years, you’re not here. I miss the here-ness already.
When Jude came running up the stairs looking for Uncle Matt, he was stunned that you would leave. For just a moment his world stopped. Matt not here? Living away? Why?
And yet you’ve been leaving for a long time. Like any healthy, happy, God-trusting male, you’ve made all sorts of steps into your own story— a story where you are the warrior assigned by the King to conquer and explore and make your claim for the kingdom.
It seems like yesterday when you set out on your first foray into adventure…
Today my little boy went off to school.
He was afraid. I was afraid.
He was excited. So was I.
He was brave. I cried.
We chattered cheerfully in the van on the way to school. He looked so fresh and grown-up in his new haircut, plaid shirt tucked neatly in, appropriately cool baggy pants and black suede tennis shoes. I took pictures in front of the flagpole.
He smiled.
Walking into the classroom, he gripped my hand in sweaty palm and sat oh-so-quietly at his pint-sized desk.
“Don’t leave yet Mom. Wait ‘til all the other parents go…”
I rubbed his back and labeled his supplies. Crayons, scissors, lots of glue, a binder covered in G. I. Joe stickers. I took a picture of my little boy at his desk.
No smile.
Time for Mom to leave. One last squeeze of his shoulder. One last kiss on his cheek, and out the door.
That’s when the tears betrayed me. Unbidden, they pushed against my eyes, threatening to embarrass me completely. Gulping them back, I waved with false cheer at a neighbor and drove in my empty van to my empty house.
So quiet.
No chaos, no arguments, no laughter, no messes.
I have looked forward to this day. I have plans. For years I have said, “When my children all go to school…”
Yet today I can do nothing.I grieve an end of an era. An era I have loved, filled with memories I cherish.
I did my share of complaining to be sure. “Can’t I even go to the bathroom alone?!” But I loved the unrushed mornings cuddling with blankie and bear and my squirmy little boy.
I loved the Lego creations and the storybooks and Wee Sing tapes. I loved sidewalk chalk and popsicles dribbling down dimpled chins. Rainy days spent building forts in the family room with blankets anchored with encyclopedias.
Most of all, I have loved the absolute trust in his eyes. He knows I am here for him to protect him, to be proud, to understand.
For I am Mom. Matthew’s mom. The Best-Mom-in-the-Whole-World.
That is who I was yesterday when I held him as a babe in my arms. It is who I am today as I leave him at his desk at school. And tomorrow, when he is a man, I will still be…
Mom.
From my heart,
Diane
Oh Diane I hear your heart. We just dropped off three in college in less than a week and will be sending another two to Uganda in about a month. Life happens so quickly, my heart aches for life the way it use to be. Life of soccer practice, baseball, lacrosse, Awana’s, I’m bored play Lego’s and pretending to be a short order cook because none of my sons ate the same food. Now its actually quiet, the quiet I prayed for for so long, oh my be careful what you pray for
Thanks again for sharing your heart.
Dear Dana,
I can almost hear the echoes across the empty rooms in your home. I have a friend who lives in Israel and she told me that in her world no one ever leaves home! They just add on rooms and crowd in to mama’s house. I’m liking that idea more and more…
Oh my goodness, I am so not ready to think about this stage of life yet, but I am crying like a baby right now while my litte girlie sleeps in the next room!