Remembering

My middle daughter's dorm room that she shared with another nursing student, in soft pinks. As for my oldest daughter's dorm room...I know I was too sad in saying "good bye" to her, to take any pictures, after all she was the first to leave home.

"If you've ever been a part of the following scene, you know you'll never forget it.
Inside the house is a quiet bedroom. Last spring's prom photo sits on the bedside table. A dried homecoming mum hangs from the bulletin board. Outside the house is a packed car. Both trunk and seat are full of clothes, books and stereo. What was in the room is now in the car. The one who used to live in the room is about to drive the car...to college.
Both parent and child are stunned by the moment. What happened to childhood? Who fast-forwarded the years? Why, just yesterday this child was filling the house with cartwheels and playdough--now look. He's so tall. She's such a beauty. The child is grown.
The grown child is equally stunned. The road ahead looks lonely and long. There is safety in these walls. Protection. Security. Those pleas for independence so recently voiced are unheard today. "Just say the word, Dad, "I'll stay. Just ask me , Mom, I won't leave."
But Mom and Dad know better. They know that love releases the loved. They know the training is over. The last bell has rung. The class is dismissed, and the application begun.
And so parents and child hesitate at the side of the car. There's no time to teach new truths. There's no time to instill values or lay foundations. There is only one word that can be said--remember. Remember who loves you. Remember what matters. Remember what is right and what is wrong.
Remember. "

~Max Lucado


This is my youngest daughter's room that she shared with two more girls. She chose navy and cream for her room.

As I walked through the store today, I was surrounded by parents purchasing back to school notebooks, pencils, pens, and markers. Each child seemed to know what it was they needed. So many memories came flooding back into this mother's heart. So many "first day back" experiences, what to take, what to wear, and how would it all go????
Next came all of the graduations...with everything that involves. And yes, then it was facing the challenge of each girl leaving for their further education. Sometimes I find myself not being able to believe that even those years are behind me. My husband has been the steadfast anchor for me through all the many phases. Together we have survived that aspect of our lives. I was thinking of all you mothers out there, who will be saying "good bye" soon to those you love, whether they are going on to school, or wherever. There may be tears, they will be missed, but coming from this mother with years of experience in this realm of life...the years do go by so quickly, and it is exciting to see where their individual journeys will take them.