from kenya to peru

Yesterday my friend and her family sent off their oldest son to Peru for two years. He is a great young man who has a natural goodness and was also raised up well by his parents. The perfect candidate to go out in the world and do some good.

As I stood on my friend's driveway last night to see how she was doing we both welled up a bit. The lack of contact is hard, both the verbal contact, and in the case of both of us, the physical contact. Tall sons who like to wrap their arms around their mothers and, at least with my own son, rest their heads on top of ours. Good boys (men) who leave a real hole when they are gone, even though they are having the blessing of filling up someone else's life for 24 months.

My husband was standing there with us, and to lighten the mood he reminded us that there are some things that actually get irritating about having a gangly 19-yr old boy around the house all the time.

But, not today, honey. Today we like to think of our boys as perfect.

And, funny thing, I am still thinking that way this morning.

14 comments

Barbaloot | July 9, 2009 at 8:53 AM

I've never sent off a son...but lots of brothers. There's nothing better than the day they return! Then the next week or so you crash back to reality and remember what they're really like:)

Kimberly Vanderhorst | July 9, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I can only imagine...but how beautifully you put it.

Dedee | July 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM

And, if all goes well, I get to go through this three times starting in just a mere 10 years.

I am not ready!

CHERRANNE | July 9, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Awwwwwwwwwwww.-*sniff

Connie | July 9, 2009 at 1:25 PM

I have a month before I get to wrap my arms around my tall son from Africa and welcome him home. Then, like Barbaloot, reality WILL set in and I'll wonder why I wanted him home so badly.

Until then, I'm looking forward to getting him home!

Linde | July 9, 2009 at 3:17 PM

Having been on a mission I've always thought about the adventure and maturing that happens on a mission.

Now that I have Jacob, I can see how there will be a hole in 18 1/2 years when he goes.

Little GrumpyAngel | July 10, 2009 at 2:06 AM

I'm not sure how I will feel when I send my only son off on a mission if he chooses to go. I imagine it would be very difficult. I also imagine it would be right. But I know for sure there'll be a lot of tears. But not for another 3 years. For now I love loving him close to home.

April | July 11, 2009 at 11:40 AM

First...LOVE the hair, second, they ARE perfect when they are gone, and now, I have had my son home for 3 months (and only on the weekends) and I welcome his job in Hawaii for a month. Just saying!

Heidi | July 11, 2009 at 1:39 PM

You got your hair cut!! Cute! My twin sister's son just got back from his mission. His homecoming talk is tomorrow. Jami and Marivic live in the same town (one even on the same block) so I am going to get to see both of them tomorrow, too! Woo hoo! Anyway, I just haven't had the experience of sending my son out on a mission yet. I surely hope I get to one day.

* | July 13, 2009 at 12:44 AM

This post is bittersweet.

Now that I'm a mom of 4 kids myself, I'm getting a small idea of what my mom went through when 4 of her kids (including me) served far away missions.

Luckily, I have 10+ years until mine will be old enough to fly the coop for college or missions. Sweet relief. ;)

Mrs4444 | July 13, 2009 at 7:20 AM

The day when my awkward little bird flies away from the nest is just around the corner. Just a few days ago, I wistfully said, "Remember when we used to snuggle on the couch?" (the couch he is now to long for) He just smiled and rolled his eyes...

heather | July 13, 2009 at 8:08 AM

Sweet. It's a mother's sacrifice too you know?

AND did you cut your hair? It's really cute. :)

Melanie Jacobson | July 13, 2009 at 9:11 AM

My husband loved his mission in Peru. But I kind of hope my kids get called to missions more like. . . um, up the street? MAYBE around the block? So I can keep an eye on them.

But I'll have faith. I just have to start practicing now so I have enough in ten years.

charrette | July 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM

Where Josh is now is in so many ways like a mission...months without any contact but letters, etc.

And in so many ways...not.

I totally understand your need to remember him as perfect.