A new direction

Every time I've sent my kids out the door my heart is always a bit sad to see them go and I look so forward to them coming home! From staying at Grandpa and Grandma's on the other side of the state as little people, to all the first days of school, then heading to college, new jobs and new places. The funny thing is they've usually headed east! East to camp, to college, to a first job. Until today. Ryan is taking his life a new direction so to speak. And this is something that has been on his radar for many months. He's going after a dream and that is wonderful. He's going west!

I've watched as all my kids have went after dreams and worked hard to achieve them. From auditioning for All-Iowa Dance Team to making it to the state track meet to getting a masters degree and hopefully doing something they love. And it is wonderful to watch! To them I say thank you, for being brave, for working hard and getting back up when life has knocked you down and working your butt off! They've kept their dreams alive and continued to dream-I hope they always do.

I remember how sad my mom always looked each time I left home, be it to head back to college, or loading up my three lively kids and going back to my house. I always had mixed emotions with the experience. My heart ached to leave my mom, and then to leave her alone after dad was gone, then to leave her in the care facility where she was living. My heart ached but often times I had  regret for not living closer or anger for her making it so hard to leave! But how lucky I was to have a mom who cared so much and made it hard to leave. I miss her every single day. No I would not have wanted to live with my parents! Nor would I want my kids all living at home as adults-we'd drive each other crazy....how limited their dreams would be if they still were. But how blessed I am to have these three and how much they have taught and continue to teach me and the adventures they take me on!

So today is the start of a new chapter and adventure not just for Ryan but for all of us who love him. For with him he not only takes along as many things as he can fit in his car and his bike on the back. But all of our love, support and prayers for nothing but the best. Even though nine hours seems like a lot, yes I was spoiled when everyone was less than two hours away, but this is not that far and it is not thousands and thousands of miles away. I always miss my kids when they are gone but I am so blessed that they want to go out into the world, explore, learn and live. And that they do come back home.
Love to all three....but I still miss you more than you know. After all you grew under my heart, you know what my heart sounds like from the inside and my heart and love is always with you.

Postivie thought of the day: I am so blessed and I so appreciate that fact! Love you guys!