My High School's current students

Choir needed $30,000; it got so much more | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Remembering my High School days, I teared up. I had wanted to sing in the choir, or be involved in any of the activities most of my friends were enjoying.

Unfortunately, like many of the student's in this year's choir, my parents didn't have much money. My mom worked in a factory, my dad was an outside construction worker who often didn't work during the cold winter months. For my 16th birthday, my Mom went with me to get a work permit. Like most kids whose family are among the "working poor", I was expected to work and pay for my school expenses.

I am so proud of the Indianapolis community and for the alumni who helped the students with the finances to go on their trip next year. I suspect that many of the students believe, like I did, that their futures will be spent doing what their parents do now - working hard but not having much to put away for vacations. (My family and I did a lot of tent camping on a river bank for vacations)

I have been so very blessed. My husband and I have worked hard, we've saved a little money, and have had opportunities I never would have been brave enough to dream of as a teen.

My hope is that the current students will also find the excitement in working hard and have the joy of traveling and learning about this wonderful world.

Congratulations to the Manual choir!

Sadness: Empty Nest, Again.

Sadness. Almost overwhelming sadness.  That’s how I’m feeling right now.  My son, my beloved son has chosen to suddenly move out of our house.  I didn’t expect him to leave for awhile.

Looking back over the last few weeks, the signs were there.  Normally, he is quite the talker.  Lately he’s been a bit on the secretive side.  I’ve heard the sound of packing tape sealing boxes coming from his room. I presumed he was packing winter clothes for storage.  Guess I’m naïve. I presumed he would talk over a move with us.

Not that there were expectations (nor should there be) when an adult son decides to leave home.  It’s been great (and not-so-great) to have him here.  He was going through some really bad times: multiple job loses, & a broken relationship had taken their tolls on his mental health.  The time he has spent here has been good. At least I think they’ve been good.  I’ve watched his personality evolve.  He moved home as a broken man.  He leaves a confident man with plans and hopes for his future.

I always knew he was going to move out again…my desire was that he would wait until he had a bit more money in the bank as a safety net.  That was probably wishful thinking on my part.  

I am shocked at myself.  I didn’t expect to go through the “empty nest” emotions again.  I thought I’d be immune this time – he has moved out before after all. Looks like this sadness of my only child leaving home isn’t going to be easy to stop. 

Oh my Heavenly Father.  How You must have felt when Your Son left home for his earth-bound experience.  My feeble human mind can’t imagine the love You have for me that You’d send Your only child off to a world that You already knew was going to kill Him.  I praise You, Father that Your plan was perfect.   Because You chose to let Jesus come to us, I have hope for a life everlasting in Your presence. Because You love me in my fallen state, I have You to lean on to get me through these troubled times.  I love You Lord.  Thank You. Amen.