Tears

As you know my eldest is eighteen years old. A senior in high school. Such an exciting time in life. Such possibilities. Such plans. Such aching in a mother's heart. I'm proud of him and happy for him and I can't wait to see where he ends up next year. I want him to go to college. Of course I do. But the thought of packing him up and dropping him off. Well, let's just say tears are never far away these days.

But last night we were all taken by surprise. He got a new guitar amp and he was playing guitar and letting his little brother (13) play too. They were having fun. Enjoying each other. Sister was in her room doing homework. DH and I were downstairs. We walked up the stairs and Little Brother was standing in the hallway, his face twisted up, his eyes closed. DH said, "Buddy, you've got to get to bed. You're exhausted." And then the tears came. Not just sniffles, Sobs. We wondered what in the world was wrong. Everything was so jolly a minute ago. But then he said, "I was just in Big Brother's room, playing guitar, and we were having fun together. And then I realized he's leaving soon!" Oh my. Much crying (I of course had to join him!) and many hugs later he went to bed. Big Brother responded very well, saying things like, "Oh we have a long time before I leave" and "But I'll be home to visit alot." But the reality settled down on our house like a cold fog. This distant future event that we all knew would someday come is upon us. This is Big Brother's last year at home.

Here's a picture of the kids as we were saying goodbye to Big Brother this summer before a mission trip. It was only 6 weeks. And yes, Little Brother had been crying then too.