It's never easy saying goodbye to our grandchildren after their visits. I'm sure it's the same for many of you as well. We savor every minute that we have with them, though it drains more energy from us than we even thought we had. The hour or so after bedtime is welcome relief before we drop into bed ourselves, hoping they sleep through the night so we can, too.
We had an extended stay this time due to their mommy getting sick on the way home from their after-Christmas visit. We picked up the children two hours away at a motel and brought them back here for several more days while mommy and daddy got back on their feet. Met up with them halfway yesterday to return our precious little ones. A very long day--more than a twelve hour trip up and back.
Distance is definitely no friend to families, but it isn't debilitating. There are times when only family can do for us what we need, and we gladly spend ourselves in doing it. This feast or famine relationship drains us physically when we have the children, and emotionally when they leave. But we want them to remember being with us, even though the occasions be few and far between. Our 4-year old Anna told us that she wishes we lived closer, that the trip is TOOOOOO long from her house to ours. Sure do wish they lived closer and could remember Grandad and Nana as we really are in just normal, everyday life. And we want them to see and know God's faithfulness and care in our lives, how we worship Him, how we live for Him. We want to affirm their own faith as they're growing and changing and searching out truth.
There are moments while they're here when I try to absorb every little thing about them to treasure in my mind and heart while we're apart. As children do, they're growing up ever so quickly. Our littlest celebrated his first birthday while he was here. I'm sure his mommy and daddy would have preferred to spend the day with him. Distance is no friend to families.
But it isn't debilitating. Thankful for highways and byways. And thankful for strength and energy for the feast.
