Letting go…

Originally posted on Facebook October 4, 2017…

My good friend Tish told me the other day that sometimes it helps to post what’s close to our heart because we never know who might read it, relate to it and be able to give words of support or encouragement. So, that’s what I am going to do with this blog. I have been back and forth on whether I should write this because I do not want to give off an impression that I am not excited, happy or supportive about what is going on in my oldest daughter’s life right now. As a matter of fact, my heart is filled with joy that God has answered my prayers and blessed her with a wonderful young man who adores her and loves her unconditionally. At the same time ( and those who encounter me on a daily basis know this all too well ) I can break out into some ugly crying with just the mention of her upcoming wedding.

In the span of 6 months I will have had to “let go” twice…first to college and secondly to start her new life in Italy where her husband to be is stationed. As much joy as I have in my heart for them…I ain’t gonna lie…this is more than I ever thought I could handle. I mean…my baby girl is going to be living 5,000 miles away from me and 7 hours ahead! When I am not ugly crying, I am imagining what an adventure she is about to be on. She is going to get to see and visit places that I’ll only ever dream of; and get to enjoy all of it with the love of her life and best friend. How amazing is that? And all the while, she is praying about how God will use her in this foreign land for His glory. This…this is why it was so easy to give my blessing for this marriage…well this and the fact that I know that all of us have spent a lot of time with God on this decision.

Now I am sure inquiring minds want to know so here goes. She is getting married in December when he is home for leave and will be moving to Italy as soon as all of the steps the army requires are completed. She will be continuing her college education, but will be doing it online. They are both bound and determined that she will complete her college degree.

She will be quick to tell you they are not marrying out of a sense of urgency, but rather out of love and God’s design of marriage. There has been lots of wedding planning going on which is a wonderful distraction to the fact that I am having to really let go and move into the next phase of life…at least with this child. I also have to remain conscious that I have two more children at home who need me and I have to be there for them. I poured into Bailee as much as I could and now she has blossomed into an amazing young lady with a beautiful, blessed future ahead of her. The twins deserve an equal amount of my love and attention and I have to remember that every time my heart aches for the “little girl” that is starting the rest of her life.

I will close this with a quote from an article I read today. This article said everything I have been feeling and dealing with these past weeks. The quote is this: “While it may be important to your daughter that you help her with the planning, I assure you that it is infinitely more important to her that you are a source of emotional support during this time. And sometimes being supportive means stepping back and watching your daughter develop wings of her own. Just as you had to let go and watch her fall when she learned to walk, so now you must let go and watch her begin a new life, knowing she will fall, knowing that this represents a goodbye of sorts, and also knowing that nothing in this world can sever the bond between mother and daughter.” (a link to the full article: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheryl-paul/for-the-mother-of-the-bri_b_1346506.html)

God knew what He was doing when he put Bailee and Josh together. They are perfect for one another. Now we all just ask for prayers as we celebrate their upcoming marriage and life together!