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.