A New Season for Him

A week ago today. . .can it have already been that long?!?

And there he is -- ready to go!  My niece said to my sister, "but Mom, what do you mean Aunt Jenni is sad?  She looks happy and is smiling in all of the pictures!".  Yep, that about sums it up.  Extremely happy, blessed, proud. . .but sad and overwhelmed too.  This kid is our first.  We learned so much from him. . .made mistakes he likes to point out. . .were too lenient, too strict, too clueless. . .but in the end, as He always does, God prevailed -- covering our inadequacies so we could have this day.  What a privilege it is to be his mother!!!

Sigh.  It's been a week now.  He's been good about answering texts (I try to keep it to one a day!) and although he was dropped off on Thursday he didn't start classes until Tuesday. . .which gave him lots of down-time to fill.  It seems that he found some people to hang with -- some from camp, some from his high school, and his roommates too -- and found a job at a local YMCA so. . .good for him!

This is one reason it has taken me most of this week to get this post up -- I cannot get some of my pictures to turn!!!  So frustrating. . .anyway. . .look at these twins.  Thomas was eager to begin this chapter and definitely did not want any of his mom's input. . .some things (like TP) I sneaked in -- and good thing I did! -- and some things I was not "allowed" to do. . .like buy new bed coverings or make suggestions about decor.  I *was* allowed to purchase mixing bowls when the mom who outfitted the kitchen mentioned that she didn't bring any. . .and he needed a clock and light by his bed so we did pick up a few things before leaving.

 See?!?  No matter what I do and how many different ways I turn and save the photos, they still won't turn!!  Ugh.  Anyway. . .the obligatory "sitting on dorm room bed" (but they don't have typical dorm rooms where he is going to school, just student apartments) and a shot of all of his possessions -- yep, that is all he brought.  I think he and Tom made three trips TOTAL from the truck to the room with his stuff. . .

They live in an apartment complete with full kitchen (including dishwasher and microwave), laundry that is not coin-operated, a decent-sized living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms.  Thomas is in the double room and their third roommate has a single (with a double bed!).  Crazy the luxuries these kiddos have. . .

Right before we left I took a few pictures of his dwelling so his sisters and brother could get an idea of where he was living. . .this is obviously the kitchen looking out to the entry door to the unit.  The laundry is directly to the right and next to that the hallway leading to the bedrooms and bath.  They are on the ground floor, which is kind of nice.  There is limited parking out front but he doesn't have a vehicle there.  Wonder if the noise upstairs or outside will bother him?  He is in the dorm complex furthest from the main campus - his only complaint.  It is so hilly there I told him to measure his calves now and then again in December -- I'll bet they grow!

NOTHING I DO WILL ALLOW ME TO ROTATE THESE PICTURES!!  Oh well. . .this is outside his room. . .happy because he is mine. . .happy because he is healthy, smart, and has a bright future. . .happy because I believe in him and know who he serves. . .and very, very sad to be leaving him behind.

And driving away. . .not apprehensively, full of nervousness but overwhelmed by how blessed we are to have this opportunity in life -- to be parents together, to be a part of his life, to be able to afford him this luxury of an education. . .so now we've joined a new club -- the one where our child no longer lives with us. . .onward and forward :)

Tom and I left Thomas a note with three things we believe he was leaving with. . .
1 - He knows that Jesus is his Savior, his best friend, the One who loves him most.
2 - He has "started over" before. . .he changed elementary and high schools -- he knows what it is like to be the new kid and not know anyone and have to make friends. . .
3 - He has a home to come home to. . .people who love him here at this address as well as family far away that love him fiercely.  As he grows up and steps more and more into the "real" world he will, unfortunately, see that not everyone has this advantage in life.

The Sunday before he left our preacher, Sam, shared this verse in his message (which had nothing to do with our season of life) and it will be what I continually pray over him. . .2 Kings 6:16 "So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  College life can be so hard. . .you can feel overwhelmed and out-numbered. . .but this is the prophet's reminder that God's army out-ranks the enemy's, although it may not always seem like it. 

Stay strong, Robert Thomas.  We love you and are proud of the man you are becoming.  Work hard, go to class, show integrity, brush your teeth, and try new things. . .we'll see you soon!

~ Mom

P.S. And yes, we've already gotten that text that starts with, "I dropped. . ." -- ha!  Again, he's the first, so we are starting over with the "we've never done this before and mistakes will be made. . ."  We'll figure it out. . .maybe. . .