Picture a blond, skinny, blue eyed, young child looking about four years old (but actually six) running down a chain link fence and signing to her mother as her mother drives away from school. She's signing "I love you" continuously as she runs along the fence as if her mother is leaving her on the concrete playground forever. This scenario occurs every morning.
Now picture that same child, grown, but still petite at age twenty-two (looking fifteen) in line at Hartsfield-International Airport signing "I love you" in the security line as she prepares to fly off to university in South Korea. Maybe for five months or perhaps for an entire year. The mother or young exchange student have no idea when she will return.
This is when the mother cries. She pictures, the skinny child, the concrete, the fence, and not the TSA in their navy uniforms checking her in at the large shining airport. The mother then signs "I love you" back to her daughter.
Now picture that same child, grown, but still petite at age twenty-two (looking fifteen) in line at Hartsfield-International Airport signing "I love you" in the security line as she prepares to fly off to university in South Korea. Maybe for five months or perhaps for an entire year. The mother or young exchange student have no idea when she will return.
This is when the mother cries. She pictures, the skinny child, the concrete, the fence, and not the TSA in their navy uniforms checking her in at the large shining airport. The mother then signs "I love you" back to her daughter.
That was my CC and me last week.
Can you picture what I have been up to?
Joy and Peace
Olive
I think of you often my dear sweet friend..and your sweet CC..what an adventure she is having..while Mama stays home and grows and learns how hard it is to let go and let them fly... like my Grandmother use to say to me..Honey, I've been all along there...
ReplyDeleteLove, Mona
I have been through this myself, Olive and have to say it was one of the hardest times in my life. There's no point in saying, "Ah, she will have a great time, what a life experience, don't worry" because you will. I saw my daughter off to teach in South Korea 7 years ago. I didn't know when she would return, either. She did the one year, making wonderful long-distance friends and then came home. Of course, now, I am so glad she had this experience as she returned a more mature and self-confident woman. It was just last year my youngest daughter travelled South America with a friend for three months. I thought I would never sleep again. I did a lot of praying, and once again, now I can say that I am so proud and happy that she had this wonderful experience. If people think being a mom to youngsters is tough, wait 'til they hit their 20's. That's when 'mom's strength shows through. Keep busy, let God take care of her and trust that all you have taught her will have her make good decisions. Oh yes, and drink lots of herbal tea. Deb
ReplyDeleteGirl, you're making me cry...CC and you will be in my prayers, but I know God is taking care of that precious little gal!
ReplyDeleteThey need their adventures. You're a good mama for letting her go. Wonderful picture, the bright eyes and the old.
ReplyDeleteI too have been where you are. On one hand I was thrilled at the independence and confidence i saw in my daughter, on the other hand I felt like my heart was breaking apart. Your friends above said it best . . . I send my caring and I will hold you and.CC in hope and prayer . . .
ReplyDeleteOlive...I have no way to identify with you other than to say I have daughters and I don't know what I would do if they traveled away. I wish you peace and much love and the same for CC.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
Wow! What a time for your heart to swell with pride and then be smashed into a thousand pieces over and over and over again!
ReplyDeleteYou are a good Mom for raising such an independent and confident young lady. She's off on a fabulous adventure!
And I'm planning on going to college with my son next year! Ha. - but just a little "ha."
Strong women raise strong women. I have faith in both of you.
ReplyDeleteI admit I have a few tears for your right now. It's so darned hard to have them so far away. You deserve a bit of time to tend to the sore spot on your heart and then you can get on with being excited and proud that CC has gone on a great adventure!
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine! I'll be thinking of you. :)
ReplyDeleteCC is off on a wonderful adventure while Mom is at home praying for her, missing her, and probably longing to be there with her! Having a daughter of my own, I can only imagine all the emotions going on with you!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Such a sweet photo and story. It is so hard to let them make their way in the world, but I'm sure she will do amazing things :-)
ReplyDeleteHang in there - all of us empty nesters are right there with you!
Thinking of you dear heart. It's so hard to let them go and so far away but your loving bond will be the stronger! Big Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteI guess we have all had these heart wrenching crying moments in our lives when our children go away for school or life adventures.
ReplyDeleteI know I've cried a river
I feel your pain...my son and his wife live in Japan. They are coming home in a few days. I cry uncontrollably whenever they leave...but...they are happy, doing what they love! And I, in turn am happy for them. I'm sure CC will have a wonderful experience. I am new to your blog, and am curious as to why she's over there? Just hang in there! ;)
ReplyDeleteSouth Korea is soooo very far away. You have every right to cry a few tears... xox
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your heart hurts. Hoping that when you know that she is safe and sound and having a good time you will be okay. (((((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteDear Olive, yes, this post brought tears to my eyes as well, as your beloved CC heads off to South Korea - such a long way away. I pray that she will be kept safe whilst she's away. That is such a sweet photo of the two of you :) It must be heartbreaking for you and all I can do is to send you a big {{{{{hug}}}} from across the pond. Such a beautiful little post.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, too. I've been missing my boys extra much this week! Sweet hugs to you my friend!
ReplyDeleteand lovin' every minute of I bet!
ReplyDeletehave a blast with your girl!
hugs...
Oh, letting them fly from the nest to test their wings must be the most difficult part of motherhood. Sweet post, Olive. I look forward to following CC's blog. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteOh, your baby...must be so hard to let her go. Hugs to you, Olive.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a heart wrenching time and yet, let go you have to. Our only grand child starts university in York at the end of September. All the new students are in my thoughts and prayers at this exciting, anxious time in their lives and I know that they are in yours too. All the best to your darling CC on her new venture.
ReplyDeleteAh, she's grown up so fast hasn't she. You blink your eyes and everything has changed. I see on your sidebar that CC is going to have a blog about Korea. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteOh Lord, I can only imagine how you felt! I'm hoping she has a wonderful time and that you and she can stay in touch A LOT while she is away.
ReplyDeleteI have lump in my throat..dang Olive...it hurts. I can see her at the fence. I will be thinking of your beautiful CC grown up and away from home. But you know the little girl is still there, inside. Blessings to both of you and Joe. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteI remember when my son and his, girlfriend then, wife now, drove off from Orlando Florida in 2007 to Los Angeles. Not the equivalent to South Korea in miles, but in my mind it might as well have been. Some people asked, "how can you let him go there?" Let? As sad as I was for us left behind, I was ecstatic that I had raised a young man who wasn't afraid to chase his dreams, to take chances, chances that I never had the nerve to take. My answer to those people was, "isn't this what we have raised them to do, be independent, self-sufficient adults?" Yes it is. So while I know you will worry about CC and miss her, I also know you are bursting with pride that your girl is so brave and adventurous. The distance will make you all the more closer. Ann
ReplyDeleteOh Olive... best of luck to CC... and I am thinking of you sweet lady, and I can only imagine how much you are missing her already... you are such a good mama!... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteAw...so bittersweet...such an adventure for her, but SO hard to see her go. Life just doesn't stand still for us, does it? Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment on my wedding post this week! XO
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a tough one. You are so happy for her, but she is so far away. I hope you get to visit her soon.
ReplyDeleteLeading up to and that very moment in time is heart felt. Her experience will be invaluable!
ReplyDeleteI was your daughter in 84 when my Mom and Dad took me to the Atlanta airport with my 3 yr. old and 6 week old baby to fly to W. Germany for 3 years - meeting up with my husband who had to go on over and I couldn't until I had the baby. I cried the whole 14 hour flight and Dad said that Mom cried until I called from the Frankford Airport to say we were there. My folks came over half way through the tour to visit and I look back on those 3 years as the most awesome time of my life. But now you have the computer and you can talk/skyp every day if you want. It IS difficult not to touch and to hold each other - but the computer is going to allow the time to fly. Hope you may be able to go over for a visit!
Oh my! I've read CC's blog and I am so excited for her...what an adventure!!! I am also feeling for you! A knot that never goes away forms deep down in the pit of your stomach when you watch your child go off to find their way in the world. You are so proud, but it hurts like no other hurt. I hope you survive her trip :-), and I hope she has the time of her life!! Best, Vicki
ReplyDelete