May 24th has been a tough day for me and my family for 36 years now, with meaning and emotion. This is the anniversary of my younger brother’s death. You can read A Tale of Two Brothers for more of the story.
May is an eventful month, never more than this year. Mother’s Day, of course, which coincided this year with an awards ceremony for my oldest son.
What better way to spend Mother’s Day than celebrating the achievements of one of your children? The celebrated child just moved out the first of May, my first baby chick to leave the nest.
And then his graduation, with High Distinction (I’m a proud mama!).
My baby brother has a birthday in May which was always a big deal. I can still recall the day he came home from the hospital, but that’s another story for another day.
My celebrated graduate has a birthday too…
And now, May 24, 2016, my youngest son, my “baby” Luke, is leaving for Slovakia. Luke was driven by his father and me to the airport where we waited until we could no longer wait, to see him off and say good-bye.
The day has new meaning.
My younger brother is gone, and has been for 36 long, but quickly-passed-by years, and now, my youngest child is moving to Slovakia. He is gone, too.
These are two totally different scenarios, I get that. My son will return in August where he will be state-side until March 2017. Then he will join the staff at Josiah Venture for a 2 (ish) year period, where he will be doing what he loves…playing music and sharing his faith with the young folks in various parts of Europe. What mother could ask more for one of her children?
I am excited for him! What an amazing opportunity that has be given him. Without the trip to Czech Republic that he took 2 years ago with Southeast Christian Church he would have never been afforded this opportunity (see The Boy’s Back in Town).
And now here we are, May 24, the day that has held such meaning and emotion for 36 years, now has new meaning and emotions.
I am sad as I remember my brother and the short life he lived.
I am grateful for the time he spent on earth.
I am excited for the adventure Luke has embarked on.
I am missing him already.
His brother I miss as well.
I am hopeful that this time of newness for my family, my kids, and for what God is bringing to pass in each of our lives and as a family.
But for now, he is gone.
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