When Life Gives You Lemons? Not Today.

Usually I am a glass-half-full of lemonade kind of girl. Lemonade, in fact, that I made myself from life’s lemons. I try to be optimistic as much as possible, and try to help others think that way as well.  But today, well….today I just want to reserve the right to suck on lemons. I want to pout for a while and feel at least a little bit sorry for myself. For today I found out that it is “Facebook Official” that my middle son and his wife are going to be moving a thousand miles away.

For two years now, I have struggled with the fact that our “baby” lives 400 miles away. Far enough to make a quick weekend trip really difficult, yet close enough that at least it can be done if necessary. Close enough that we will be making the trip very soon to visit with him and spend time in his surroundings. Close enough that he can still make it home for most of the major holidays. But the thoughts of having a son a thousand miles away just sounds so impossibly far.

We are incredibly proud of our persevering daughter in law. She has not only made it through both nursing school and nurse practitioner school, but has worked full time while doing it. She has studied, worked in the PICU, and completed shadowing hours all at the same time. She has earned a chance to take the best possible job that comes her way, no matter where on the map that job might be.

To our son’s credit, he has started a business that can be run from practically anywhere with an internet connection. In fact, he has clients even farther away than a thousand miles. He conducts business over the computer, the phone or his tablet. Thankfully for him, the logistics should work out just fine.

For this mother of three boys, however, it is going to be difficult to have two of them living so far away. FaceTime is awesome, and phone calls are terrific, but they just don’t substitute for a hug around the neck or a Sunday lunch. Holidays will be different and our everyday routines just won’t be the same. So for today, but just for today, I would like to retain the right to sulk. One day, and that’s it.

For tomorrow, I promise to focus on the fact that I have a wonderful son and amazing daughter-in-law who live just down the road with our two adorable grandbabies; close enough to see as often as we possibly can.   I will be thankful for the wonderful opportunities that both of my other sons have to continue their lives in other states. I will dwell on how incredibly blessed we are to have a family that has such a close bond that we will all undoubtedly shed tears over this new adventure.

And here is where feel a bit like Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind; “After All Tomorrow is Another Day.” Come back tomorrow for a fresh pitcher of lemonade. I promise.

Sincerely,

Susan