With tears in our eyes, we dropped this
boy young man off at the airport.
We won't see him or feel his arms around us for two years, but in our hearts we rejoice for the growth and experiences he will have as he bears testimony of Jesus Christ to the Chinese people in NYC. We know this because it happened to another son 11 years ago. But it is not easier the second time around. Eleven years ago after taking Jeff to the MTC (missionary training center), Mark and I could not speak the whole ride up to the Salt Lake airport. Our emotions were so close to the surface that we didn't dare open the floodgates.
This morning after saying our goodbyes and expressing our love for him, David joined two other young missionaries to walk to the security line. I got in the car and the tears started once again, to which Mark said, "Oh knock it off!" It wasn't harsh.... more pleading, really, so that I wouldn't start a chain reaction in him. It also served as comic relief. We will miss that boy, our baby.
As we left the house this morning it was dark, but when we got home I took a picture of the posters that the YW (young women) in our ward had made and used to decorate our yard.
I took them down and took another picture of them all together.
No it does not get easier.
6 comments:
Lest anyone think I'm a coldhearted brute, at the time I quipped, "Oh knock it off!", tears were rolling down my cheeks as well. I think it gets tougher the older one gets. Good thing we stopped at six.
He's so dang handsome and awesome. Both will serve him well, I think.
I'm sure he will do a wonderful job out there! How sweet the signs are as well.
When my son was maybe 2 weeks old I started getting emotional thinking that one day he is going to leave me to go on a mission! I still get anxious about it if I think about it too much! And I've got years and years til that point. I'm sure I'll be a mess. But Glad to see you guys have feelings!!!
This post brought tears to my eyes. I was thinking of you yesterday, and imagining the mix of emotions that comes with sending a child off to serve a mission. He's a handsome, well-adjusted, humorous, and grounded young man. You've done a good job...!
Wanda, I am crying with you and it has been 11 yrs since I have seen David. He has had great examples in his life and someone is out there just waiting for him to have the gospel told to them. He will grow so much.
I can not believe he is old enough to serve a mission. He will do wonders out there in NYC. They will love him out there and he will grow and learn so much about himself and the gospel. What an incredible experience for him. Now what are you guys going to do with your empty house? Time to travel!!
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