Endings and Beginnings

It was a flurry of activity in our home up until recently as we  prepared to send Cam off to University and apartment living.  Throw in celebrating his 19th birthday and you have days jam packed with never-ending to-do lists.  I can hardly believe we accomplished what we did in such a short space of time.  I cannot believe that I have survived the organized chaos of this oft termed, "launching season".

Truthfully, I feel that our launching of our son began when he took his first breath and the "cord of life" was severed 19 years ago.  Since then, we have always been in a process of letting him go.  But oh so quickly, the unmooring seemed to take on a faster, more defined pace.  And this is what has filled our lives up until a few short days ago. 

Cam asked me to be a part of his "household" shopping excursion.  I was thrilled.  It meant the world to me that he wanted his Mom to walk up and down the aisles searching for the perfect knife set, pots and pans and various gadgets.  And just for the record, he was literally on a methodical search.  I'm not sure  how many 19 year old guys are that intent on what is in their kitchen besides food!!  I did find it interesting that when I tried to mention other essentials such as TP, hand soap and a shower curtain, his reply was: "I'll worry about that later."  (I know he had one roll of TP on his official moving day, because his sister gave it to him for his birthday...something about being concerned regarding the absence of such an item.)

 His birthday celebration grew into one of those beautiful "Eucharisteo" moments.  Of the people originally invited to celebrate, only two were able to come.  The rest had previous plans(one of the downfalls of having a birthday on a long wknd.)    BUT...due to a variety of circumstances, one by one, the phone calls came in saying, "I can come after all!"  Because Cam was unaware of some of these calls, we kept it a surprise.  What joy to see the look on his face and hear the excitement in his voice as he saw the faces of those who mean so much to him.  What a fabulous party filled with yummy food and laughter...reminiscing and anticipation.

 What better way to end a party than by asking your guests to help pack your moving trailer!!!!  And that is how the evening ended, with boxes and mattresses...a desk, couch, chair and bikes, all being loaded up ready for the big move the following day.

 Tuesday morning dawned with one very excited young man and a trailer full of his life thus far.  He had some friends help in unloading and setting up, and was off again to another orientation event at the university.  Brian, Ashley and I arrived late in the afternoon and were ushered into his new adobe.  It seemed surreal that my son of 19 years now had a home of his own.  Oh my...here comes that wave of bittersweet again.  :)  Brian and Cam and roommate Steve went for another load of his belongings while Ashley and I concentrated on highly important matters...ordering pizza!!!!!!  Who moves without the "obligatory" pizza??!! 

Some people hang their clothes in the closet...my son...his bike.

Instead of "the house that Jack built", it's "the desk that Cam built" :)

And so the "ending and beginning".  That is what transpired.  The ending of our son living within our family unit, and the beginning of his venturing out into a new life.  I couldn't be happier for him.  It's not hard to recall my own "glory days" of leaving home and living on my own.  What a full and exciting season of life it is! 

And my heart?  This is my heart...

"Cam...I have grown to love you more and value who you are over the years, but with greater intensity these past nine months.  I am so grateful for the closeness we have developed in our relationship.  This truly makes your leaving home that much more bittersweet.  I will miss our heart-rich conversations, your humor and wonderful gift of music(both singing and playing).  But I am left with gratitude for the ways in which you have filled my life.

You are an incredible creation of God!  Indeed, 'God layed his hand on you...'  Your willingness to submit to Christ and us as parents, as well as other godly people, is bearing the fruits of maturity and 'a man after God's own heart.'

I am overwhelmingly proud to call you my son.  Creative, confident, intelligent, hard-working, introspective, humorous, handy:), talented, risk-taker, caring...all of these are words I would use to describe you.  Ultimately,  your thirst to always be growing your soul inspires me.

You are more than ready to be out on your own and spread your wings even more.  And you will love it!!  I give you my blessing as you begin the journey on this new path which God has set forth.

'Stay close to God...
there is no one who will ever listen,
as He does,
love you completely,
care for you through the long, dark night.
No one will ever bring the joy He brings...
the peace, the comfort, and the hope...
for life.'  
June 2000...Mom

All my love and prayers,
Mom 

Massanutten, Virginia

Oh the memories of this incredible vacation!!!  I could never have dreamed this time away would be so breathtakingly beautiful.  It was a gift that we seemed to open again and again throughout our seven days away.  And because I had started a "Eucharisteo" journal in March, I took it with me to record the gratitude moments that flowed throughout our days.  And so it began...

322.  Driving to Virginia together
323.  Protection together
324.  Contentment together
325.  Gorgeous mountain scenery

326.  Massanuten!!
327.  Deer on the road
328.  Late dinner in our new "home"

329.  Jacuzzi tub--gigantic.  King Size Bed.

330.  Waking up together
331.  Peanut butter and Almonds

332.  Kneeling to pray with my husband
333.  Bambi touched my hand

334.  Hiking in the mountains
335.  Breathtaking views

336.  Kissing in the rain
337.  An afternoon nap
338.  A restful evening
339.  Hearing from Cam
340.  God's Word
341.  A new day
342.  Peanut butter...on toast, with apples, on a spoon, liked off my finger :)
343.  Dishwasher
344.  Mountain thunderstorms
345.  Massanutten Presbyterian Church--a friendly community
346.  Watching PGA with my husband
347.  Deer out my bathroom window
348.  Sun shining in
349.  A warm bath
350.  God encouraging me
351.  Shopping, shopping, shopping!

352.  Sales and more sales
353.  Love those U.S. prices
354.  Cracker Barrel Restaurant & Sugarfree Apple Pie  (38 carbs)
355.  Wind chimes for my front porch and t-shirts
356.  Sugar Free Turtles
357.  My husband serving me..."this is your day..."
358.  Luray Caverns  "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"

359.  Skyline Drive...magnificent beauty...mountains...lush forest

360.  Enjoying my husband...togetherness
361.  Ice Cream
362.  Buffet at Massanutten
363.  "Home" to rest, relax
364.  A new day with Jesus and my husband
365.  Christian music station
366.  Country Store Shopping

367.  "Bittersweet" Pillow
368.  Coldstone Peanut Butter Ice Cream
369.  A new purse
370.  Applebee's with my hubby
371.  A good cry over abundance with my hubby
372.  Peanut butter on toast...bedtime snack
373.  Leisure reading

374.  "Jesus--Safe, Tender, Extreme" by Adrian Plass--love his writing
375.  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

376.  My Abba Father hears me
377.  Talking with my husband
378.  More Deer

379.  The Shoppe's @ Mauzy
380.  Brewster's Ice Cream
381.  Kohl's Sales

382.  The Golden Corral Buffet
383.  Awesome clouds

384.  Packing for Home
385.  Deer "just for us" when leaving
386.  Safety from thunderstorm
387.  Smooth border crossing
388.  Home again

How grateful we are for this memory-making way of celebrating 20 years of togetherness.

The Turn Around

We are back from Paradise.  It's one of the words I would use to describe our time in Virginia. 

Other-worldly...perfect...beautiful...contented togetherness...quiet....restful....Paradise.
 

And I would love to share with you the "Eucharisteo" moments of our trip, but it will have to wait.  Because this, right now, is "The Turn Around". 

We arrived home Friday evening around 8 and I have done laundry and half-unpacked, and now am mostly repacked, and then some, so that Ashley and her friend Sarah, and I are prepared to leave for Eden Sunday at 10 a.m.  I wasn't really sure if I could handle this chaos, but I have survived.  We are gone until Thursday, leaving my boys at home.  Brian needed to get back to work, and Cam has much to do to prepare for moving and university.

Next weekend, I do another "turn around", as our family leaves for Ottawa on Friday at noon for Brian's nephew's wedding.  We'll return home on Sunday.  Then, I think I just might crash.  ha,ha

For sure, I look forward to journaling all of these adventures right here.

The Anticipation

Just two more sleeps until the big day!!!  I can hardly wait...

Friday at 8 a.m. my hubby and I will get into our packed car and begin our road trek to Virginia to celebrate 20 years of marriage.  This week, although too busy for my liking, has also had so many moments of planning and discussing and anticipating our time away together.  Brian has printed off 20 pages of maps/directions and our little pile of things to take is growing here on our family room floor.  I have all the laundry done which leaves me to do all of my packing tomorrow. 

And write out a brief list for our kids.  Being almost 19 and 16, I have not prepared any meals or gone grocery shopping.  They will be on their own to plan a menu(or not) and prepare their meals.  I've basically said that I don't care how the house looks for 6 days, but on the 7th day, I want all the laundry done, dishes washed and away, floors swept and washed.  You get the picture.  MAKE YOUR MAMA HAPPY TO COME HOME!!!  ha,ha

Brian and I have gone away 1 weekend every year since the kids were born, but never this long, or this far away from them.  But I'm ready.  I probably wasn't up to leaving them even last year, but this year my Mama's heart is at peace.

Truthfully...I feel as though I am waiting with baited breath for Friday morning!!  It's not only about going away together, but spending time in a part of the country we've never been and exploring it hand in hand.   I look forward to waking up together with entire days stretching out before us...just for us.  Dining in unique restaurants, golfing at prestigious courses(Brian) and shopping at never-before-seen Scrap booking stores (Juanita) are on our list of "can't wait to do".  Brian found a "Mercy Me" and "Rebecca St. James's" concert on line about 30 minutes from our resort one of the evenings we're there.  Sounds fabulous!!  Hiking and picturesque mountains and  oh so much more to revel in once we actually get nestled into our home away from home. 

Sigh.  Just two more sleeps.  Which is more than fine, because I could really benefit from some good zzzzzz's.  :)

I Never Tire...of Eden

 

This must be a taste of heaven...this Eden-home we have been gifted with. I never tire of our days here.  It's not one thing, but  a host.  Like when I start driving down the last winding stretch of tree-lined road, that leads to our front porch.  Or opening the door to the van and inhaling Eden's air. 

Upon arrival this time, a smothering hug from my sister and her family awaited us.  And I just knew there would be a candle lit in the bathroom.  It's just part of living at Eden.

I longingly wait for these days of living "unplugged".  

No computer, and although a phone, rarely a phone call.  My cell phone activated only to keep in touch with my daughter and how much longer she and her friends will be hanging out at the beach.  I am grateful for technology.  It affords us so many benefits.  But it is a drain on me as well and I struggle with the way in which it nags me at home.  

But not here.  

Here at Eden, I can "hear" the quiet...the serenity. 

I think my family basks in this also.

And then there's the "work" that is actually play.  

I just smile when my Martha Stewart sister comes up with another creative work.  

Someone's throw-away picked off of the side of the road...a few select muscles to wrench out some "hooks", and...voila!!  A place to hang life-jackets, towels, etc.  Now, if only people can manage those few steps to actually hang up their belongings!!!!!  (The clothesline seems to be too far for them...ha,ha)

Eden is about slow mornings and endless scrumptious barbecuing.  It's about flexible meal times and afternoon naps...boat runs with tubes whipping over the waves.  It's about campfires and double buttered stove top popcorn and Chocolate Brownie Indulgence Ice Cream. over at the camp.  Eden is for shopping at the Keady Market...feasting our eyes and then our mouths on fresh produce.

   Eden is about Friends

And Family.

Eden is about watching old VHS movies because it's one of the few places still housing a VCR.  And because of this...it's about watching our Wedding Video from 20 years ago...and laughing and holding hands and remembering and gratefully appreciating His Presence on our journey.

Eden is about beauty...beauty that can sometimes only be more fully realized because we are at this place.

I never tire of Eden...her wealth of abundant beauty and her well of rich gifts is never ceasing. 

Eucharisteo...Eden!!!!