Aaaaannnnd... they're off!
The past two months flew by much too quickly,
crammed chock-full of laughter and tears and memories to last,
well... at least until Sunday.
And when it finally came time for them to leave, somehow I let them go without saying
“goodbye”.
I mean, I told them. In a million
little ways, I told them.
The long goodbye came in waves...
of early morning visits with the deer...
and skipping down the lane at sunset.
Waves of goodbye parties...
overflowing with heartfelt prayers and songs of blessings.
Playdates with cousins...
and cookouts..
and nature hikes.
Tractor rides...
and Spa Days.
Blowing out candles..
and one last handshake with Gran-MiMi.
All without ever saying "Goodbye".
Those little faces... they are my favorite hellos. It only makes sense they would be my hardest goodbyes.
So, go ahead... call me a wuss; label me a wimp. But I swear, every time I tried to tell them 'bye', my
eyes got all leaky and my tongue grew thick and clumsy and my voice went up three octaves.
Because there is no easy way to say goodbye to the ones who take up so much space in your heart.
Winnie the Pooh said it best...
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
Instead, I'll just say 'ADIOS'.
Adios doesn't mean goodbye.
Literally translated, it means "to God".
And that's right where they're headed.
Oh my sweet gringa amiga! My heart hurts for you having to watch your loves leave on their great adventure. Knowing what a central place they occupy in your life, I can't imagine how lonely you must be right know. Maybe this will help -- when God called your son and daughter-in-law, he knew it would cause you pain if they answered "yes." So, in a sense, he called you (and Dickie, too). He called you to answer with Job's faith in God's often inexplicable plan. Let your sadness and pain, the feeling of being adrift be a reminder of your role in this wonderful story -- the mother who raised a young man with the faith, strength, and intelligence to make this incredible contribution; the mother-in-law who supports her son's wife in every way so that she, too, may answer this call; the incredible grandmother who nurtures and loves her grandchildren so that their individual talents are recognized and encouraged, they are raised with a senses of wonder and boundless curiosity; and the woman who will keep the home fires burning so that those who have gone out into the world will know they have a warm, safe, and loving place to which they can always come home.
ReplyDeleteGranted, thoughts aren't as comforting as holding little warm bodies who give you sticky kisses and laughter like music, but that is how God wrote this story, YOUR story and I have faith that you will find your way to knew sources of fulfillment and happiness. Not the same. Not better, surely. But something that needs your very special ability to love.
One last thing. You probably don't know this, but I spoke Spanish before I spoke English (born in Venezuela, then lived in Spain). So "adiós" was probably one of my first words -- probably to Joel trying to give him a hint. Here's the thing, I've always understood "adiós" in two ways. First, the modern usage: goodbye. Second, the more literal translation that is sort of a contraction for "go WITH God" -- basically a little prayer upon parting that someone will travel under God's protection, with his blessing. So, yes, I'm sending the Intrepid Haney Faith Brigade with a BIG "¡Adiós!" as they commence their journey knowing that God is with them and lighting their way.
�� Te amo, Robinita!