I thought of that recently when I realized that I should have done that - "call a friend."
I was telling my friend, Diane, about the prior weekend.
My first grandchild, Abbie, has now gone to college. She has a heart that is bent toward following what she believes to be God's plan for her life. I not only embrace that for my own life but heartily support this in hers. Abbie is a freshman at Cedarville Christian University. She is 11 hours from home.
As I think any grandmother might do, when she was making her decision about college, I asked if she realized how far away she was going to be. She knew that and said "don't you think it's time for me to grow up?" and I determined then and there to never say another word about her being way up north.
So it was that the weekend before I was lunching with Diane, had been the time Abbie said goodbye to her parents (Renee and Wally), and her sister, Allie and they headed back to Florida.
That weekend was one of my most painful experiences. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest. No matter what I tried, I could not lose a picture of their goodbyes.
When I told Diane about it, she had a very simple response: Why didn't you call me?
I don't have the first clue why I didn't call. It was as if there was a shroud of doom around me - and I could not get out of the trap - I was sad.
Never mind my memories of the day my parents left me in Dayton, Tennessee, and I looked forward to the excitement of learning and growing.
I did remember saying goodbye to each of my children. But when I look at all they have become since that time in their lives; all they learned and the opportunities they enjoyed, I can almost forget the sadness.
Once Abbie posted a photo of her dorm room, the sadness lifted a little, and when Renee texted they had crossed the Florida line, I was even better.
And then I remembered what a great time Renee and I had after Becca went to college and I was excited for what Renee and Allie have ahead of them. That did not mean I didn't miss Becca and I can tell you when Renee left and it was just Tray and me there was more sadness. As some people know, when Tray came home the first time, I cried and said: "Please don't go back." He did.
We raise our children to be independent. Then we are sad when that happens, but that's another blog.
So Abbie went to college, and her grandmother learned something. Next time I have no doubt but that I will call a friend. That, after all, is what they are for!
May your life be filled with enough sunshine
to make you appreciate the shadows
