Monday, June 25, 2007

A Reality Check

My daughter is in the process of moving across the country - quite literally. She flew out last week. People have wondered how well I'm doing. "Good!" I reply in all earnestness. I'm excited for them, and am a real lover of adventure.

Their little apartment was still full as of last night. Rick and I have been busily boxing up the remaining items, sorting the keepers from the tossers.

Today the movers arrived, right on time.

And today the sadness hit. I packed their final belongings, then they loaded her piano in the back of the moving van. That was the last thing to pack. She is gone, the home she created across the way has seemingly dissipated into thin air, and their time there is history.

But my eyes had misted once already - before the final reality check of the moving van pulling away. It happened as I sorted through the bottom drawer of a dresser designated by her as the first drawer to be opened upon arrival in California. It contained essentials such as one set of queen-sized bed sheets, two full sets of plastic plates and cups, a few necessary sundries, and one other item. In the very bottom was placed a Mary Engelbreit calendar page - a sketch of a woman on a porch or beach looking at a sunset, smiling wistfully. The quote?

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

What a brave girl, what a wonderful lover of God and eternity, what a treasure she is. And what a privilege to know her and watch her grow.

Need I say more?

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Darlene,
I have never met you and probably never will but I MUST tell you how encouraging you have been to me and how the Lord has used you and your "blog" to help me understand things from a "Godly" perspective. You seem to be a beautiful woman in the Lord and I am so impressed with your Godly wisdom and understanding. Thank you so much. Thank you, Lord, for using this person to speak to me, encourage me and teach me so much. God bless you and your family. I will be keeping you and your daughter and son-in-law in my prayers.

9:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Dear Darlene,
I have never met you and probably never will but I MUST tell you how encouraging you have been to me and how the Lord has used you and your "blog" to help me understand things from a "Godly" perspective. You seem to be a beautiful woman in the Lord and I am so impressed with your Godly wisdom and understanding. Thank you so much. Thank you, Lord, for using this person to speak to me, encourage me and teach me so much. God bless you and your family. I will be keeping you and your daughter and son-in-law in my prayers.

9:42 PM

9:46 PM  
Blogger Quinne said...

Darlene,
I have been reading you and loving your heart for ever such a long time :) I am Jacqui's sister-in-law's (Paige's) sister. Having read this post, I just had to send a hug and a smile ~ and let you know that I am lifting you up today. May this be a greatly blessed time in your life and in the life of your dear daughter.
Love, Quinne

1:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ugg outlet store
canada goose jackets
clarks shoes
fendi bags
jordan 11
mcm bags
coach purses
ralph lauren outlet
christian louboutin sale
louis vuitton outlet
uggs for cheap
canada goose jackets
louis vuitton outlet
prada outlet
north face outlet
canada goose outlet
juicy couture outlet
ray ban outlet
mbt shoes clearance
ugg sale
chi hair straightener
patagonia jackets
ugg boots clearance
cheap uggs uk
air max 95
ugg boots outlet
cheap christian louboutin
christian louboutin outlet
uggs sale
barbour uk
canada goose jackets
tory burch outlet
prada handbags
beats by dre cheap
manolo blahnik shoes

1:47 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home