Wednesday, November 25, 2009

prelude to an empty nest


the girl has gone for a youth leadership camp for a week. so it's just the 3 of us at home. i don't feel it so much as i'm at work most of the day but the girl's absence is beginning to affect the wife. she's stopped working the day the girl was born & has looked after her from day 1. so that reaction is understandable but i reminded the wife of the verse that the girl herself quoted the day the decision was made to study in singapore.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11


life still has to go on but we trust the Lord will teach her & instruct her in the way that she should go. amen.

6 comments:

ilene said...

It is said that when a child leaves for college or university, it creates a hole in the family that presents both challenges and opportunities for those at home. We should allow ourselves to experience our emotions and whatever we are feeling. There is little benefit in pretending that these feelings are not there. Take care.

doc said...

Ilene,

thanks.

i never got to find out whether my parents felt that way when i left home for varsity those days.

i had to find my own way there, unlike a lot of youngsters today whose parents are more likely to see them right till the doorstep of the hostels.

Jo said...

amen. I left for singapore when I've just turned 6! Not by choice of course. I wonder how my parents felt about that..

Your wife's reaction is understandable. It's surely not easy to let go, especially it comes to daughters. You could encourage her to think on the bright side.. tell her she now has time to go for facial. hehe.. :)

doc said...

Jo,

thanks.

i think she'll figure out the facial, hair highlighting or bonding herself. i only hope she doesn't end up with a tattoo or belly-button ring!!

my neighbour's 17 year old son went to UK to study. when he came back for vacation the following year, both his parents freaked out at his totally BLONDE HAIR!!

Unicorn Girl said...

The very same verse - Jeremiah 29 : 11 - a counsellor once told me to recite and meditate upon when life seems like a downhill .......:) Truly comforting.

doc said...

Unicorn Girl,

amen.