We're leaving in a couple minutes to take Avery to school...yes...all of us...

I awoke to this email from my Aunt Becky today.
(hope she doesn't mind me sharing)
Tears are welling up now...

"Dear Jennisa,

I was reading your blog this morning and realized, once again, how our lives have paralleled… you sending your precious Avery to school and me, sending my “baby” to college.

I don’t know about you, but no one ever told me that being a mom could hurt so bad. Why is it that the joy for our child is overshadowed by the pain of saying goodbye? For that’s what parenting seems to be… if you’re a good mom, you raise your child so they will be confident enough to leave you – to say goodbye with a happy wave and a smile.

So many goodbyes through the years… Each step of independence: first steps, first words, going to school, play dates, I want to do this myself, I’d rather be with my friends, learning to drive, graduations, trips to Germany, off to college… I’ve felt such joy such joy in those milestones, but also the pain of yet another goodbye. It’s pretty amazing how many tears I’ve hidden from my girls, and also some I couldn’t hide.

Yeah it sure does hurt. But Jennisa - amidst the anguish, be so very proud! Be proud that you are a ‘good mom’, that you have raised such a wonderful girl - a child who is confident and ready to face this new experience with a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye, a willingness to learn, to make new friends, and the confidence to take a step out on her own… and know that the reason she is able to do so is because your love and caring has given her a rock solid foundation of love and security. If it wasn’t so, she wouldn’t be ready to go. Gosh, a mixed Blessing, isn’t it?

So today, I am with you in thought and in prayer and yes, sharing your tears too – bawling my eyes out if you want to know the truth. But let some of those tears be joyful too, ok? Let Avery’s joy and excitement fill the empty sad parts of your heart. And take comfort that even though you won’t be there, she is in God’s loving hands, and as she’s already told you -- "Mom...ya wanna know who's inside my heart?...It's YOU!" Jennisa, I am here to tell you that it will always be so.

The song I’ve attached (lyrics below) … says it better than I ever could. I guess it’s time to let Avery soar.

I will be praying for you.

Love from,

Becky

She attached the lyrics to Nickel Creek's "When You Come Back Down"
I changed my song on this blog to that song...so what I needed today!