The day has finally arrived.
Tomorrow morning (Thursday) Jill and I will be driving Andrew to College and helping him get moved in. He's our oldest, just having graduated high school last May.
What a year it's been for our family of six. I can't even begin to explain it all. It's been one of the most intense times of stretching and perseverance we've ever experienced as a family. Tonight we all went out to dinner, and then came home and had a time I'll never forget: a time of giving and receiving affirmation and of praying over Andrew. It was incredible, and sweet, and words were said that I'll never forget. Tonight I thanked God for this difficult, trying, wonderful year, because trials produce perseverance, and perseverance character, and character, hope.
After tomorrow, things will never be quite like they were. My oldest son is leaving our home and going off to college. We'll be re-doing Andrew's room and Blake (our ten year old) is moving into it. For the first time, Andrew will be on his own. He's going to college, and there he will be stretched and tested and will become what he is to become. Please pray for Andrew, if you would, as he embarks on this next phase of life as an adult.
Andrew has what it takes; he's intelligent, fantastically well-read, insightful, talented, and he has a love of learning and appreciation for knowledge and wisdom, for literature, for music, for poetry, for history, among many other subjects. We're so proud of him and we know, hope, and pray that he will thrive in college.
It will be hard to say goodbye tomorrow. I'm not going to sugarcoat this: parenting can be hard. It's the most thrilling, most terrifying thing most of us will ever do. It will lift you up to the clouds, it will drive you to your knees, and sometimes it will have you crying out to God in desperation. Sometimes it will break your heart.
I wouldn't trade one second of it.
Well done, Andrew. Now on to the next stage in your journey!
- C.S. Lewis
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Praying, Bill. As we've learned, Waco to Houston is not that far. He's in a good place.
Andrew, call me (or email me) if you need anything. A ride. A Coke. Anything.
Thanks for being such an awesome dad! What Andrew said to you last night showed the obvious impact that you have had on his life. You have done so well, with him and with the rest of us.
He couldn't have said it any better - you're our favorite Thinkling! :)
Bill, your family is in my prayers. Bill, Andrew send me email once in while. I will also be checking in on you two once in awhile. Be safe and God Speed.
I don't know how you're doing it. I will be doing the same thing this time next year with my oldest daughter and I am already weepy and it's a year away.
So, needles to say, your post brought a tear and I lifted a prayer for you. I don't even know you guys and it makes me cry.
I'm gonna need a lot of prayers next year. I'm a basket case.
Prayers for your son, I hope my daughter meets someone like him as she goes. He sounds like a great kid.
Andrew, dude, you're going to love it. You picked a good place (sic 'em, Bears). Don't be like I was my freshman year there--go to all the football games and meet new people and drink a Dr Pepper float every Tuesday afternoon if you can. Have fun. Work hard. :)
Everyone - thanks so much for the encouragement and the prayers!
We're back home now. Andrew's moved in and loving it so far. His roommate was studying already (pre-med) - heh.
Again - thanks for your prayers, interest, and encouragement.
Manders - great advice.
Bird - you rock!
Loys - thank you, always
BIF - thanks for your friendship
GinH - We have a daughter that we'll be going through this with next year too. Those waves keep coming. Thanks for your prayers, encouragement, and empathy.
Molly - thanks for what you wrote, doll. That made my year. I love you.
Bill, she has graduated now and is preparing for law school, but the night I dropped my daughter off at her dorm, for the last time, when I moved her onto campus was both the proudest and saddest moment in my life. I went back to my hotel room and cried like a baby. She's doing great and I'm sure your son will too.
Congratulations
Hey Matt, Texpat! Nice to see some of the LST minions around these humble parts!
Bill: you are making me cry but that's ok it's good for the soul.
Bill and Jill: job well done!
Praying!