College!

She was born on a Friday, my blonde headed curly girl. We headed to the hospital at about 6 a.m. and by 1p.m. she had made her appearance. Farmer Boy went back to work the following Monday and I remember telling myself that my life was changed forever.

We packed the van on Friday. Move in began Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. and since we had a four hour drive we left Friday afternoon.

We have some very hospitable and lovely friends in Kelli's college town who let us stay with them. When we arrived at their house Friday evening, the kids played, the adults sat on comfortable chairs with glasses of ice water and talked about the coming year.

My labor pains ended years ago on that autumn Friday afternoon,  but as I sat holding my glass of ice water it felt as if every cell in my body was pulsing. I was vibration. I told myself to focus, to take a deep breath, to relax. We went to bed and I think I slept for a time, but I woke early, breathing shallow and every cell on full alert.

Here's what I learned about myself.

I'm not really a 'cryer'. I'm a fierce mama bear who wants to control everything. I was told once, maybe twice, by Farmer Boy and Kelli to calm down. I thought I was being civil to the students who came to help us unpack. I thought they needed to know that there were insufficient signs posted, and that we were lost, late, and running out of time to get unpacked before our first set of meetings.  According to the other two people in the van I was 'out of control'.

Today I don't know how to feel. Kelli is four hours away but I know she's in a good place. I feel some relief, a bit of regret and a lot of excitement.

I keep checking my email. I've been texting. With Lizzy's help and Farmer Boy's fancy phone, I've even learned how to 'facetime'.

I'm thankful.
Thankful for answered prayers and for this place that Kelli is at.
Thankful for kind friends who let us stay with them and who are more than willing to be there if Kelli needs them for anything.
Thankful for email, texting, mobile phones and facetime.
Thankful for a sweet, sweet girl with curly hair who changed our lives forever.

Amen.