Wings

One of my favorite songs lately is by Mark Harris (Christian Artist) called "Find Your Wings". Here are the words:

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold.
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

Chorus:I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

Chorus:

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

This song has been running a constant cycle through my head the past few weeks. Rachel went on vacation w/ my in-laws for 11 days. She went w/ them first to Princeton, NJ for my FIL's 50th college reunion, then into NYC for 4 days. She got to experience so much, including her first 2 Broadway shows (The Fantasticks and Wicked), the Statue of Liberty, many museums, Times Square and so on. She's 11 and she soaked up every minute of her time. My MIL said that she was so impressed with Rach in the museums, because she wanted to see it all...and practically did. As her mom, I reveled in the fact that she was getting to experience something that we couldn't necessarily offer her....'cause we just can't afford trips like that. But, it was hard to have her gone so long.

She came home Friday night, and she and I immediately headed down to St. Louis to meet up with Thornton, Alison and Patrick for Patrick's baseball tournament. We were all together on Saturday in St. L and then all of us but Patrick had to come back for Church today. Patrick's baseball team played 3 more games today before losing in the semi-finals. In the 2nd game, Patrick was pitching and got hit in the ankle w/ a ball. He called saying that he had to be pulled from the game and that he had trouble putting weight on it. I wanted to scoop him up in my arms and let him know that it'd be OK...but I couldn't. First of all....he wasn't w/ me. Second of all...he's 14 and 5'11. He's on his way home now, and I know he's OK, but somehow the feelings of the day are making me dread him leaving home in 4 short years for college. How can I let him go?

Which leads me to my real point: Tomorrow, all 3 of our kids leave for camp. Rachel and Patrick will be gone through Saturday. Alison will be gone only until Wednesday afternoon....and Thornton is going to be one of her camp counselors. I actually calculated this day out when Patrick first left for camp when he was how old Alison is now. I knew that the year he had finished 8th grade, Alison would be old enough to first go to camp. I looked forward to having no kids at home....and now....I don't want it to happen! Somehow, we've managed to raise confident, adventure hungry kids who have no problem leaving us for short periods of time. I know that's a good thing....we've given them wings...and now they are going to fly. And, Saturday night, when I have them all back under my roof again, I will rejoice!