The Organizer, the Coach and the Sgt.

There are three people in this world that complete us as a family. They, unlike any others can cause us to laugh, cry and lose control at any given moment. We cheer for their accomplishments and cry with them when necessary. Since they have all flown the proverbial coop, the times we are together are guarded from intrusions. We stay up late, we get up early...we eat when its not time and we find ourselves spent from the exertion of loving each other. But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Each of these three bring their own personality to the nest:

The Organizer is a list maker. She makes sure we have a plan (not unlike her father) and that we stick to it. Some of us would rather fly by the seat of our pants, but not her. She makes it easy for us to move as a group and get things done. We can always count on her to make our path easy. She's the planner. She has a giving heart. That's why she is such a good wife and mother. She's my favorite.

The Coach, more than any of us, likes things in order and everything done well. He is a perfectionist and extremely neat. He always thinks ahead and knows where he is going and where he wants to land. He has a tremendous sense of integrity and honor. He is the kind that will succeed in what he does, because he allows God to take control. And he's funny! He's my favorite.

The Sgt. is and always has been his own person. In many ways, he is like the others. He likes to have fun. He likes to spend time with certain people. He is a thinker and sometimes a brooder. He thinks logically most of the time. But there are times he thinks only with his heart. He's very low key and slow moving, doens't really like to have a plan and loves every minute of it. That's probably why he is successful in what he does (not that we really know what he does). He's my favorite.

As of today they have all left us. And they took the grandchildren,too!! I knew when we gave these people back to the Lord that this day would eventually come. I just didn't think it would come so soon. Thirty years wasn't that long ago was it? But when I look at their accomplishments, their goals and dreams I am thrilled that they have the courage and drive to pursue what God has for them and to go after it with no regrets. After all, don't we raise them to leave at some point? Don't we want them to be passionately involved in something that drives them?

The answer is yes. This isn't the first time we have come back to just two in this house. It just never gets easy seeing them go. In reality, it's not so hard to be sad and happy at the same time. We love them so!

PS:  Don't forget: "Home is where your mother is"