A Few Tears Are Okay

I thought originally that I'd write a big post on Mother's Day... a big day for me this year, with one son close by - and one far away. Mother's Day has always been a happy one for me, whether or not I get to actually share it with them. My boys and their families make me feel loved and important every day, not just on Mother's Day.

This year we were lucky to have a full weekend with Phil and his family. There wasn't a moment when I wasn't in awe of their good hearts, their warmth, and their intelligence. Phil and Jen are wonderful parents - and their kids show it. Both Erica and Owen stunned us with writing several impromptu stories. Erica is an avid reader and wants to be a writer when she grows up. She's a member of a writing group, and is knowledgeable about structure and development of the story, and works at it constantly. Owen, at 6 years old, is already reading and writing - I imagine at least at a second grade level. While they weren't writing they played with the dogs and raced around on their bikes. The weekend was full of outdoor games and lounging in the sun...and culminated with a delightful Mother's Day brunch. Happy me.

Adam and Martha have embarked on their new adventure - they flew to Mexico City on Saturday along with fifteen boxes of their belongings. They called and reported that the trip went well and they were able to bring everything in without incident. Martha will spend the week getting their house set up and Adam headed straight out to Monterrey on business.

People ask me how I am going to handle having Adam and Martha living so far away - and I know it will be hard, but I believe it will be okay. Adam and I remained close throughout his 8 years in Mexico, and I have no doubt that we'll remain close through this separation, too. But I do miss them already, with all my heart. Transitions are always hard, and even if I shed a few tears, they are tears of love and pride.

I am a happy mother, proud of my boys and the lives they have created for themselves, and happy that they want me to be a part of those lives. So why am I sitting here quietly crying?