Nothing Can Prepare You~

Nothing can ever prepare a mother for the day when she sends her children off to college. This year my youngest will leave the nest to join her older sister in the ranks of college life. You can talk to other mom's who have gone through this process before, share inspirations, prayers, advice and ideas, but one thing I know for sure is that you will have to experience all of the emotions by yourself. I have prayed countless days and nights for my girls, I have encouraged them, I have prepared them for this and I hope that they know that they can always come home.

When the moment arrives…nothing and I do mean NOTHING can prepare you for the whirlwind of emotions that you will experience once the house is empty. There will be no more pitter patter of feet across the hall, no sudden outburst of sporadic laughter coming from upstairs, and no afternoon family time. As I count down these last few days to an EMPTY NEST, I almost feel like I am losing my breath. I am emotional, agitated and happy all at the same time. I don't want them to see me cry so I try to contain myself every day. My friends keep telling me that I have prepared them for this very moment and it's time to let them spread their wings and fly. I just want a little more mommy time. Although I went down this same road three years ago with my oldest daughter, there is something about a quite house that is just unnerving at this point for me. I know it's time for my baby girl to journey into the next chapter of her life and I know it's all in God's plan. I know that he will protect her, guide her and I pray that she makes wise decisions. But knowing those truths does not make saying goodbye hurt any less. I say to myself "how can you encourage other friends, if you don't first go through the process yourself"? I have to be the example for so many others along the way. How do I live each day knowing her bright, smiling face won’t be walking through the door every afternoon. How do I prepare dinner for only two people? How do I deal with the fact that there will be no more Sunday afternoon movie dates? My girls are everywhere throughout my home, every corner I turn, every room I go in are sentiments of my lovely ladies. How will I walk this walk? The only way I know how…one step at a time…just leaning and depending on Jesus for strength. My prayer is that the Lord give me just enough light for the step I'm on. I will depend on him to settle my nerves and give me joy in the midst of this separation. It is such a lonely feeling, yet I know that my father will help me along the way. So, I will wait patiently for him to give me peace in the midst of my storm and ease this anxiety in my spirit. So for now I will just breathe!