One giant step forward

The last time I posted, my little girl got on the bus -- no looking back.

Today, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Birmingham, Alabama (9 hours and 30 minutes away from home), while my oldest visits Samford University. Gulp! We flew in late last night, then spent today touring the campus, meeting professors, talking with the admissions officers and more. Now, he's hanging out with college kids, spending the night at school. I'm here in a hotel room, wondering how he got so old.

I'm in uncharted territory. Nathan's so much fun to have around. He fills our home with music and laughter. He is calm in the storm -- stepping in to take his little sister for a walk when she's making me crazy (I love her, but... well... sometimes she has more energy than I know what to do with). Whatever will I do without my son around?

I expected to feel some trepidation at this juncture, but surprisingly, I am calm. Really. I enjoyed seeing the campus, hearing about the school and the relationships between students and professors, and just watching Nathan unfold as the day progressed. He enjoyed it. He was mellow about the whole thing, but he really likes the school. I know.

We've asked everyone we know to pray for him as he decides where to take this next big step. We're praying that God will reveal where He wants Nathan to go. We know God has a plan.

I guess as my son grows, I've grown a little too. I'm not scared about where he'll go to college. He will be ready. I'll miss him, but he's ready to live his own life -- almost ready. And I'm getting ready to let him go.

Not yet.

But soon.