Savory Days

With less then one week to go before I leave for NC, I made a conscious decision to try and slow down and savor my last days in PA. It's going.... OK.

I am so excited to get in the packed car and drive - that vision has been the leading image as I ready myself. Last week I took another step in my "imaginary journey" with the vision of the first moments of my toes in the sand on Wrightsville Beach (hoping to get there before dark on Tuesday 10/18 so I can see the sights) - the vastness, openness and glory of the sea where it meets the sky. It's that awesome and "big" feeling of peace and possibility all wrapped up in those precious first moments with the beach. I feel it each year when we (my gal pals) step on the beach in Ocean City, MD for our annual weekend away. Somehow the ocean and sand soakup your worries and woes, while offering you the gift of promise and hope. The opportunity be able to dip my toe in that on a daily basis in NC... my cup runneth over.

While I thought my "memory moments" of the week would be in the going-away lunches, dinners and gatherings I am attending, I am finding the special moments are showing up in small things. Andrew and I have been repainting my room for his overthrow of my space. Each day we've gone into the room and painted a little more (he's been so committed but boy is he a messy painter too!). As we paint, we chat and he's opened up and shared things with me I otherwise would have missed out on hearing. Last night I heard his theory on girls and having a girl friend (which he's doesn't have and isn't interested in). Yesterday Willie and I cut down some bushes and took them to the drop-off center and had some time alone in the car. He shared with me his desire to finally get serious about college. After working at a bar at Lehigh Univ and befriending students there, he's seen firsthand education in action. Praise God for hearing prayer!

My heart strings pull as I think about moving away from my boys. I've heard both sides of the fence about what a bad mother I am being to leave them and also those who champion the position for their time to grow as adults and men. I wax and wane with my emotions, but feel deeply they will benefit from a time together to learn how to be men among men. They both have a great support network of young men (who have been crashing and hanging out here already) with history that goes all the way back to kindergarten. If anyone knows and appreciates the gift and stability of life-long friendships... it's me. Many of you reading this post are just those women. Many of you were and have been my sole rock-solid supporters over the years.

So, today is my last time to scrub the floor of the Java Joint... a savory moment??? Perhaps...