The Page Turns

It's hard to imagine all that has transpired in the last 24 hours.  Last night at this time I was sitting on the floor of my parents 3-season porch finishing the last of the re-packing, bleary eyed and numb.  I am now sitting at the end of the bed in a hotel in Tampa, while the 3 men in my life breathe the deep sighs of sleep.

Yesterday morning we finished cleaning the house after a late night of final moving and packing, ran last minute errands and good-byes in Willmar, began the re-packing to weed out items not completely necessary.  Kirk thought the Sure-Jell for my idea to potentially make jam at some date in the far off future, was pretty cool but just not practical insane.  Random items that had been tossed in the "Haiti" pile with a "this could be useful in Haiti" needed to be tamed, and the checked baggage cases needed to fit in just under the 50 lb limit per bag.  How I torture myself between thoughts of "what if I need this" and "I can do without it"!   The later the hour, the looser my grip on all the "important" things that seemed so useful hours before.

After a brief 5 hours of sleep we piled into a minivan with my Dad at the helm.  Most of us napped on the way, and after a tearful good-bye we checked our bags and awaited our first flight.  From MPLS to Midway in Chicago, then south to Tampa, and finally to our hotel by about 7:30 PM.  (Tomorrow we drive across the state to the East Coast. We'll stay two days and fly out early Tuesday morning, likely in Haiti by noon.)

After all the emotional good-byes and farewells to life in Prinsburg, the page has turned.  As if in our very own wrinkle in time, we are between the two lives.  Two days of limbo to do as little as possible besides swim, sleep, and share time with just us four before we take the first step into the next part of life.  It's not all so smooth... emotions are still high and it's far too easy to snip and snap over minor irritations, but we are trying hard to keep "kindness" up front and increase our patience with one another as we share in this time of transitional stress and anticipation for what's next.

If I am willing to take the time to notice, there are moments of satisfaction and joy even during the the hard moments. 

• The day began at 6:18 with a text message of biblical blessing from a dear friend.  As I began my day she was starting hers, covering me in the Word of God!   
• The familiar faces of my parents with their routine care took on special significance knowing the time is long before we're reunited.  Mom baking scones at 11 PM because I had wanted to try "that mix"; Dad getting up early when Noah couldn't sleep and unable to walk away until we were out of sight at the security check in.
• Giggling with the boys as an airline pilot took his break in the game room and expressed his disappointment with his performance at Battlestar Galactica with boyish groans and whining.
• Connecting with a woman on the flight to FL whose heart has known ache for her family's triumph's and crashes and yet sees rich tapestry from the diverse strands that make up her life.
• Watching my skirt ruffle in the warm Gulf air as the boys do ninja moves at a pool party for two.
• And now hearing my boys sleep a rest well-deserved, and praying my daughters sleep in peace as as our arrival draws near.

How good God is!  How rich is his love, care, and provision.  My heart is full knowing I am held as are those I love, now far from me.