You know the place. It's halfway between wanting your daughter to spread her wings and take off on a great adventure and kind of hoping that what she finds there isn't so wonderful that she wants to stay.
A rock.
And a Mom Place.
As I said on Monday, we moved The Practical One 532 miles from home this week. By the time this posts, we'll be headed home without her. So...
Just in case I die of a broken heart before I get a chance to post again, here's the reveal of her new location as promised.
Do you recognize it?
Maybe a closer shot
Yep. We're in Washington DC.
We arrived in the middle of their first snow storm Monday night.
It's cold up here, folks.
Yes, I realize that's a matter of perspective, but to this Georgia peach, it is.
Tuesday was sunny, though, so we enjoyed our walk around town.
The Capitol by day...
And in the blue hour
She won't be working there, though.
She'll be across the street.
Here
She'll be working as a congressional intern for the next few months,
trying on her Capitol Hill Shoes.
She's pretty excited about it, too, and hoping that they fit.
The Rock hopes so too, and I told her so.
But now the Mom Place? She just reminded her to click those heels three times
and say,
there's no place like home...
She'll be working as a congressional intern for the next few months,
trying on her Capitol Hill Shoes.
She's pretty excited about it, too, and hoping that they fit.
The Rock hopes so too, and I told her so.
But now the Mom Place? She just reminded her to click those heels three times
and say,
there's no place like home...
39 comments:
Debbie, that is so exciting! An intern on the Hill! Wow. You won't be so nervous when you are at the Inaugural Ball, will you? ;-) xo
Oh Debbie! You're hurting my heart! My oldest chick turns 18 in April and graduates in May. I want him to stick around for awhile, but occasionally here whispers of enlisting. My heart breaks a little each time. Thinking of you my friend. May your chicks find spreading their wings a beautiful adventure and may they fly home often to visit the nest. ;)
Love ya! Heather
Oh Debbie, what a Rock and a Mom Place to be stuck between!! I wondered if those 392 "Mother May I" steps were really miles in your previous post (my mind is like a steel trap; I amaze myself sometimes). :)
I can imagine exactly how you feel. But first of all, let me say congratulations. Your whole family must be so proud -- and your daughter must be over the moon with excitement. Wow! I'll be so looking forward to reading all about her adventures. It would be great if she could get some folks straightened out up there. ;-)
My son talks about traveling or living far from home, and it's so hard for me to think about. I think it's not always so hard to give our kids roots, but the wings part can be tough. A real emotional wrench. Best of luck to your precious Practical One, and to you as well!
Hugs,
Denise
WOW!! First let me say Congratulations on your daughters job! How exciting that must be for all of you. What an opportunity. But then let me say do I ever understand the rock and the mom place...We raise our kids with the exact purpose of WANTING them to be independent, productive adults living their lives out as He would want them to. And yet....SURELY that can be near to us right?! I still find it amazing that my daughter has traded in her high heels and city ways to become the farmers wife. But she has! And she is sooo happy. Which I want her to be, but still....soo far away from me. My hubby recently was teaching at a small men's group and was talking about the verse in Psalms where it talks about...happy is the man whose quiver is full of arrows (or children)...and he said while he was indeed blessed, he never expected to shoot an arrow all the way to Texas...haha, but soo true. Yes, the rock and the mom place is a hard one. How proud you must be of this girl! I look forward to hearing about her adventures....Have a good day! HUGS
Congrats Debbie, but I can say I feel your Mom place....no disrespect intended. I have a 19 yr. old and even though we got him to stick around for the community college for now, I have been dying inside since HS graduation. So, I goggled this Momastrophy I've been experiencing and it can LAST 2 YEARS! So, just get it over already! How do they make it...I mean really... That blue hour shot was beautiful!
Sherry
I know how you feel...wanting them to grow and fulfill God's purpose in their lives while grieving that they're gone...just wait til you have grandbabies my friend, just wait. Oh my heart feels like it could burst for the love and the missing them...
Well,how exciting for your daughter! And what with Skype and all that kind of stuff you'll be ok, honest!
How exciting for her and how hard for you, Debbie! But God is faithful and good and she will have a blast and learn a lot and you will have a cool place to visit, right? Congratulations, proud momma!
So, so awesome!!!!!!!!!! Yes mixed feelings....like Benjamin told me on his birthday, "mom I know you are happy and sad at the same time...you are happy I am growing up and sad I am growing up"...that was from a five year old turning six.
As I read I couldn't help but rejoice in the Lord for so many things...oh you have been blessed...you got to go get her settled in, you have a daughter walking out her dream, which means you have laid a good foundation...just from this third person I can't help but shout..God you are good! Now go get you a box of kleenex...you might need them through this transition.
That is a great opportunity for your daughter and she has supportive parents, I can tell. Do NOT die of a broken heart, lady, she will return after spreading her wings. My parents let me go to Istanbul, Turkey for a year in college and it was a great year for me. So let the little bird fly.
I'd been hoping to hear an update. What an exciting time for The Practical One! As for the Mom Place you're in... Have you ever read Beth Moore's book, Feathers From My Nest? I love the story at the beginning when the chicks have just flown the nest and Mrs. Sparrow is having a hard time letting go.
Mr. Sparrow: "...Fine sparrows they are, dear Mrs. Let them fly."
Mrs. Sparrow: "As if I could have stopped them."
Mr. Sparrow: "Oh, dear, Mrs. Sparrow, you know better. You could have clipped their tail feathers with your pecking. You could have refused to let them test their wings on the early gentle breezes. You could have done much to stop them, but you didn't. Their flight was perfectly timed..."
And then Mrs. Sparrow gathers the memory-feathers from the nest, finally content to look ahead. Tears drying in the breeze, she looks to her right contentedly, thankful for her partner in the terrestrial flight. Then she tilts her wings skyward to gaze toward her Maker, assured of her flight's destination.
Debbie, I'm praying this will be a wonderful new adventure in your life, too! I know how you feel. When my oldest was almost 20 she moved to England to go to school -- and stayed there SAFELY for 7 years. :-) Catch a breeze, dear friend!
I wish I had a dollar for every time I thought of you and prayed for you these past few days! Not so so easy doing the difficult mom things. We are all so very proud of your precious eldest daughter. We will continue to pray you through this transition time. We will survive.
Great pictures BTW. Hope you enjoyed some of your time in DC.
Hugs from your big sis.
Oh, sweetheart....I'm so sorry your little heart is breaking. It will be OK. I know it's hard to let go. My 32-year-old son is just about 20 miles away, and I feel like he may as well be in Siberia! It still just seems so far. But we wouldn't be a Mom if we didn't feel that way, so I think it's OK. She'll enjoy herself. I worked in the Russell Building on Capitol Hill right after high school for Sen. Stuart Symington. It was a heck of an experience that I will NEVER forget. I DID get homesick (quickly!), and brought my little hips right on back to Kansas City. I'm kind of a Mama AND Daddy's girl, though, so don't measure your daughter's resolve by me!!! :-) Please be careful going back home, and take care of your little heart!
Oh, no! That's the LAST place I would have guessed you were going!!! I can feel your pain (that expression came from D.C. too, remember?) I do know how you feel about trying to let go, and let God! I was single when my youngest left home (for college) it was almost impossible to go it alone, but I made it!
I hate to tell you, but it gets worse! Next they get married and have your grandchildren and live far away from you!! I've never lived near my grandchildren :-(( My biggest regret in life.
Well, I haven't cheered you up at all, have I? Let's just say I'm crying with you, that's what friends are for!!
Keep us posted, can't wait to hear more! Safe travels home!
Katherine
P.S.
I'm confused, is this your youngest daughter (at Mercer?) Or the oldest who graduated college already?
Wow, what a fabulous adventure for The Practical One! I hope you didn't sob all the way home, as I did after we left our firstborn at college. (My poor husband!) One bright spot -- she's in a location that's very fun to visit! Be sure to check out Old Town Alexandria the next time you visit her -- soon, I hope. Both our offspring live in interesting cities to visit -- a nice excuse for a trip!
Oh I feel your mom angst. We raise them to independent, happy and successful adults and then darn if they don't do it and not need us, As Much. Forever a Mom and your "little girl" knows that you are the safe place to land.
Oh Debbie, I feel your heartache. You see, my eldest was a new JAG working at the Pentagon on 9-11 when he called me from under a desk to say he was,"OK". He was way to far away. In the last 10 years many positive things have happened in our lives and he lives down the road about 1-1/2 miles from me.
Looking back it helped me to let go of my other four just a little easier. It is harder with a daughter, but my girls still need to talk to mom lots and I love that! Congrats on your outstanding daughter. I'm confident she will do well and watch airfares. Sometimes they are amazingly good and she would love a visit.
Best of luck to your daughter, it sounds like an exciting time for her (and a hard time for you-so take care of yourself!).
If your daughter is active in blogging or Twitter, there are a lot of (really nice)young people from the area that I'm sure can give her advice in acclimating herself to her new environment.
That is so exciting for your daughter, Debbie. I know regardless of your mixed emotions, you are excited for her too. Good luck to her, what a good experience! Your photos are beautiful!...Christine
Thanks for sharing this. I think we all can relate in some way because everyone struggles with trying to find that delicate balance between holding on and letting go.
And, since she's the Practical One, I'm sure your daughter will never forget that "there's no place like home". :)
Bittersweet I know, I know. I wish the very best for her - what an exciting time in life that she is going to go thru. I know you wish her well, but you will miss her dearly. Been there and I know. Hugs, sandie
Oh, Debbie, how exciting, keep in my my son and future DIL are in DC and she works at the Senate building. If she needs anything! My kid hates DC and would move back to Florida in a heart beat if job opportunities present them selves, so don't worry, she will be happy to click her heels! I'm a big fat hairy chicken too, which is why I waited until I was blogging a year and a half before doing the dress form party. I just love dress forms and selfishly want to see them all!!
Carol
Carol
ah yes, the rock and the mom place ... but haven't you done your job well!
Congratulations to your daughter .... and to you (())
I remember that day with my daughter too Debbie, I cried all the way back to Michigan. What a fabulous opportunity for her, Washington is an exciting city and one of those that "is what you make of it". My guess would be she'll thrive on this opportunity and be back with a wealth of experience to make her way somewhere warmer. Cyber hugs to you from a mama who's been there too.
first a huge congrats to your dgt. What a great opportunity for her...and A rock. And a Mom Place....I'm with you....mine aren't ready to spring from the nest but I cringe inside thinking of that time when they will. So Debby...I'm all ears...listening to The Rock....and mom....
Hugs to you...your writing always goes straight to my heart.
Awww...hugs to you. It's hard and I dread that moment which I know is coming soon.
But what an exciting opportunity for her! I wish her the very best!
Ohhh I know this story well. I felt that way when my boy and his bride moved to the coast in the BIG city. I just asked my dil how my boy was doing in the BIG city. She said he loved it. Hmmm happy and sad at the same moment. ((sigh)) I pray your dd does very well there and has some fun too but never forget to click her heels to come home here and there. (((HUGS)))
Blessings and ((HUGS)) my sweet friend
-Mary
I have only found one word that seems to perfectly summarize my experiences as a mother - BITTERSWEET.
Only a Mom understands that tug/pull between feeling proud and excited for your child, and yet so very heartbroken at having to let go. It's such a lifelong process - this giving them wings, and watching them fly on their own - while sitting in the nest and missing them to pieces.
Praying for her success, and for you.
And it is only THE Rock that keeps me from falling apart sometimes. His comfort is the one thing, often the only thing, that binds and bandages my wounded Mom heart.
xo
Aha! DC! My niece just started college there . I know it is hard! My son works in NYC, and i pray for him every day. We just have to hope God is protecting them. And i know you are asking Him to do just that every day!
Btw, I read that you have never read Jan Karon's Mitford series. Start at the beginning of the series and work your way through. You will love them and be uplifted!
What an exciting time for your daughter albeit a somewhat worrisome time for you the loving Mom. She will be fine and grateful that you raised her to be the adventurous Practical One. Just keep the phone nearby and maybe a pack of tissue in case there are a few tears when you arrive home without her. I know you are extremely proud of her. God bless and keep her safe and Mom happy.---------- Shannon
Oh poor, poor proud mama! What a wonderful thing, to turn that little bird over where we need her most...
I'm offering a prayer for her and you right now!!
Blessings, Debbie
Congratulate yourself Debbie for a job well done! You have done what moms are supposed to do. You raised your child up to be a woman with a future. AND one who knows where the love is ....
You will continue to be connected, no longer by the umbilical cord, or the apron strings, but by the telephone wire .... uh, can you even say that anymore? ANYway, you know what I mean. She will always call home for the "connection" and if she's like my kids, they will always want to come back. Sometimes for lengthy periods of time, and sometimes just for a drop in to say "hi" and get a hug.
Best wishes and prayers for MD that she succeeds in her endeavors and to you, that you can see it for what it is. A superb job!
Cheers!
That's what daughter's for.
I love the way you did to mum and you will have more blessings in every breath you take, Deb?
Prayers to you and the family. Thumbs UP for a great job done.
Best regards,
/chie
I think you should write a book.
This is a big step in the life of a person.
The distance doesn't matter.
The heart stings a bit.
The mind can't turn off.
Emotions are up and down.
(and I'm just talking about YOU).
You must be very proud!
Shaking and trembling with you on this one, Deb. D.C.???? The sin city if ever there was one! Ya! Bless you on preparing a young lady strong enough to take on such a place - and be glad about it. For me - I need the wide open spaces of suburbia and small town. Though, small town politics can be just as infuriating as Big Brother politics.
Anyway - may the Lord settle your heart as your daughter begins to walk in her calling, learning what ought to be learned without us mom's navigating. Speaking as a mother of a 24 year old Practical One, herself.
And, hey - what's this with being only four hours away from me in Jersey and NOT even trying to stop by for some fun??????????
Joy!
Kathy
That's a long way away from Georgia to Washington DC! Hope your daughter remembers to click her heels and that there's 'No place like home'!
Found you blog link on Stuff Could Always Be Worse!
New follower! Thanks, Becky Jane
http://RiseAboveYourLimits.blogspot.com
I feel for you...you describe the way a Mom feels about her kids flying away.
You should be proud of her, DC is impressive!
Wow Debbie that is awesome! I know you and your family are so very, very proud of her. I understand that heart breaking feeling. When BDJ packed up last May and headed cross country to start his new job..I literally was sure I would die! He reminds me still (when I am having those moments) that this is what his father and I prayed and worked to help him achieve. Don't you hate when they make sense? You want them to spread their wings and fly but if you are like me you didn't think the whole "how far will they fly" thing through! Praying for you:)
Yea! I can leave a comment now. Also wanted to tell you that your photos are beautiful. laurie
Post a Comment