From the Lioness' Den...

Cuts Like a Knife

I just got off the phone with Shelby, who was crying and sobbing about not wanting to go to South Dakota.  She leaves with A & her family tomorrow and will be gone until July 7.  It finally started hitting her yesterday just how long she's going to be away from home.  When I got home from class last night, she was packing.  She told me then that she had started having second thoughts.  The longest she's been away before has been a 5-day church camp about 3 years ago.  

It felt like my heart was stabbed when I picked up the phone and heard this little sobbing voice saying, "Mom, I don't wanna go to South Dakota!"   Wait...what? Is this my "too cool for you" 13-year-old saying she's gonna miss me terribly when most of the time, I'm just part of the fixtures?  Apparently she's not too cool for me this week.

I reassured her, telling her that backing out really wasn't an option, since A is depending on her to take care of her younger two kids this weekend during her sister's wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception.  Also again next week while A & her sis are putting together their Dad's 50th b-day party.   It's a dual purpose trip - work and play.

I also told her that this is why we have a national calling plan.  She can call me any time, day or night, except when I'm in class.  That seemed to calm her down a little.  Especially when I told her "Yes" after she asked, "I can call you even in the middle of the night?"  Several rounds of "You'll be fine." and "You're gonna be so busy, you won't have time to miss me." made things better, though I don't think she's completely convinced about the latter statement.

During the last few months, I've seen her struggle with still wanting to be the little kid that runs and plays with reckless abandon, and at the same time, wanting to be the cool, detached teenager that's really above all that "kid stuff."  I guess I know where she's at today.

Isn't it nice?

11:26 AM, Jun. 27, 2007 .. Posted by davey327

To know they really do, way down deep, hidden somewhere down inside, still love their mommies?

Those middle school years......

1:42 PM, Jun. 28, 2007 .. Posted by AndeeDawn

I've always said the time around middle school is the most confusing for kids. They want to grow up and be independent....yet they still want to be a carefree little kid at the same time.

She'll be fine. At least she will be surrounded by people she knows well and loves. I know it had to make you feel good though, in a round about way. When my kids get upset because their dad is picking them up, I try to be supportive and send them on their way. But a little part of me says, "YES! I must be doing something right."