My oldest son moved out of the house last week.
It hasn’t been easy for me.
He moved out for a year and a half when he was around nineteen and then later asked to move back in so he could save money and focus on college. He is twenty-three, mature and he is more than ready to be independent. He has traveled to Germany, Belize and around the United States and is fully capable of taking care of himself.
It is the location that is difficult for me.
He is four and a half hours away.
For a mom who has a close relationship with her son, this is hard. And for two little boys (7 and 9) that look up to their big brother it’s going to be a big adjustment.
He is so kind and encouraging, very pleasant to be around and is so helpful around the house we really miss him.
I have always known that children are a gift from God, on loan to us to train up.
The rearing and training can be hard especially during the toddler and the teen years but the letting go, though it comes in stages, is very difficult.
Things that are helping me keep things in perspective:
Knowing that God is in control
Consistent scripture reading and prayer
Refocusing my thoughts when they turn inward and selfish
When I mentioned how far he was moving to another mother, she excitedly exclaimed that four and a half hours isn’t far at all. Her oldest moved to Oklahoma!
He is not in another country in harms way fighting terrorist, he is working with church
We set up Skype and we love it! At least we can all see his smiling face when we talk
He has a great group of people around him helping him get acclimated to the area and with his new job
We can meet half way and hang out with him for the day
He really is only a phone call away
He moved to a beautiful area and we can’t wait to visit him, his friends and the area
We were so blessed to have him move back in to our house and have some more time with him. It was especially good for him to be able to bond with his little brothers. They now have a great relationship to build on
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We “Skyped” tonight again and he is doing great! He really likes the people he is working with and has met some fantastic friends and is starting to get to know the area!
Letting go is hard but inevitable.
It is an important transition for both mom and child.
Each day is getting a little easier. I am so proud of him!
I must say I am very excited to see where God leads him over the next year.
