After All Those Years

Two weeks ago I left a huge part of my heart in Chicago.

I knew it was going to hurt.

I anticipated that.

What I didn't anticipate was how hemmed in I'd feel.

Before me, behind me,

I felt cocooned.

Tucked in.

Don't get me wrong.

Leaving our son was by far the most excruciating thing I've ever done.

But never in my life have I felt so surrounded in prayer.

In the midst of the pain,

I felt peace.

Drew is thriving in college.

I'm thankful for modern technology that allows me to see the light in his eyes.

I'm absolutely joyful to hear about his new classes, friendships, and experiences.

God is strongly at work, and I can't adequately express my heart of gratitude for all that He's doing in and around our son.  

This week brought the next round of launching.
Ryan returned to high school as a junior,
while Luke entered his freshman year.
Their excitement was contagious.
Luke's quote after his first full day kind of says it all:
"I get to do this everyday?"
I'm thankful for their hunger for knowledge, their heart for their friends, and their desire to lead and make a difference for the glory of Christ.

Sending our "baby" to high school has brought a whole new season here.
After 13 years of homeschooling,
I'm retired, so to speak.
Crazy how that happens so quickly.
I'm working 3 days a week (and still LOVING my job).
That leaves me 2 days to invest in new ways.
This Tuesday found me cleaning and organizing our house (which will continue for many Tuesdays to come, I'm thinkin').
And Thursdays---the day known as "Family Day" for more than 18 years---has gradually turned into "Couple's Day."  It's my husband's day off of work, and---aside from the occasional golf outing (him) or lunch date (me) that might separate us, we have a weekly built-in date day!
I'd be lying if I said that doesn't make me giddy!

Many years ago when Jon and I were dating,
I latched on to a song by Farrell & Farrell (remember them?) entitled, "After All Those Years."
I couldn't know the depth of meaning in that song at the tender age of 15.
And I likely still don't know it in its fullness the way I will when our nest is truly empty.
But for all these years as we've loved and nurtured and trained our little guys' hearts,
these lyrics have been imprinted on my own heart.
They've never been far from my mind.
And though life is changing like the leaves,
I'm elated that God has placed me in a covenant relationship with this guy.
He's still the one that makes my heart flutter,
the one whose hand I love to hold;
he's the one with whom I'm thankful to work through the hard and the gritty
and blissfully sail with through smooth waters.
As days are changing
and sons are leaving (even if only for a little while)
and nothing in the day-to-day is like it used to be,
I'm thankful that he's not going anywhere.
He's still right here, pointing my eyes to Jesus.
After all these years.

After all those years
When I look into your eyes
And I see the one
I've chosen to adore
After all those years
When our children
Have said goodbye
After all those years
I'll love you even more
After all those years