The layers of leave-taking have been staggered over the last for weeks and I'm thankful for that.
Trevor returned to California on 26 August. Colin unpacked into his dorm room at RVA in Kenya on 6 September. And Jesse, well, Jesse came home to Arusha with Heather, Byron and me. It was a new experience to be here as a family of 4 with just our oldest and our youngest kids. Jesse is almost 12 years older than Heather yet they have a remarkably pleasant friendship between them. It's awfully cute to see them together, baking cookies or jumping on the trampoline or whatever.
But today brought the new reality as Jesse and his friend, Curtis, caught the shuttle to Nairobi. The great thing is that Jesse will get up to RVA and spend the late afternoon and evening with Colin. Woo hoo! So nice that he can do that. I'm happy for them. Jesse will stay over night and then catch his 11:25pm flight on Tuesday.
The not so great part is that Heather is trying on the only child role today and not liking it any too well. Let's just say it's been a little teary around here as she wonders what she's going to do when she wants to play a game of cards or challenge someone to beat her at that game they play on the trampoline when they try to kill the other person's bounce. Some people call it Seat Wars but my kids call it The Butt Game.
I'm thankful for the months together and the full store of memories that our banks hold. I don't mind saying that not all the memories are sweetness and joy. We grump around and get stressed and impatient as well as anyone else. In it all, I've always been thankful for the way the brothers have made sure that they make time for their baby sister. It makes a big difference, even if it means she needs to cry when they go away.
3 comments:
Oh dear Lisa and Byron and Heather...
A new journey for the three of you! I can hardly imagine the joy you will find (amidst the occasional brother-less tears) as you come together in new ways and make with yourselves some smaller fam time...
love you all,
dana
The joy of all that love flowing in and out of your family is absolutely sweet to your souls. I can only imagine the tears of missing them are huge puddles, grateful puddles, but huge...
praying for your hearts as they deal with it all
My little Heather!!!! I wish I coulb be there to play the butt game with you. You have a way of making me do things I would never do:) Love you so very much. A big big hug, time goes by fast Heather;)
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