Leaving home

Son 1 got on a train this morning heading to Marseille for a year-long spiritual internship. I’ve written about his decision before. It’s just that now it’s “real” and he’s really doing what he’s been dreaming of doing for over 7 years, ever since the internship program began.

The whole departure thing reminded me of the first time I left California for ACU. I was a mess. But it was only 2 years ago that I learned that my mom cried for days after my departure (at least, that’s what she says now). She had always told me before that as soon as I drove away they took all the furniture out of my old room, burned it in the back yard, fumigated, then moved 9 month old brother into that purified space, happy to have the extra room, and praying that Sister 1 would graduate from high school early so they could have her room too.

But no. My parents were not the exception to the loving-parent rule. They were happy to see me chase after my dreams, and saddened that I was absent, knowing that the rest of their lives they’d always be saying good-bye and waiting for all-too-infrequent reunions. The same way that Wife and I feel about Son 1 today.

Thanks for stopping by. Do pray for the boy.