Sentimentally Ill (Part 2)

(Read Part 1- here)

The symptoms of my  "sentimental illness" have spiked this week.  I'm experiencing emotional waves of sappiness causing me to hug my children excessively, and pathetically plead with them to never EVER leave me. I've also been sneaking into their rooms after they're fast asleep to nibble on them (15, 13, 11, and they're still yummy), and to take a mental snapshot of each of my babies to tuck into the photo album of my heart.  

Unfortunately, I ran out of my "meds" (my closet stash of emergency chocolate) a few weeks ago (3 Musketeers are my drug of choice- Milk chocolate on the outside, creamy nugget on the inside, and 45% less fat= Sweet sanity goodness).


The trigger that caused my sentimental illness to peak this time was Emilie's 8th grade promotion last week. Her promotion means that our 9 years together home schooling are over.  She is officially a freshman, and will go to high school mid August.

It's no secret that I have had a love/hate relationship with home schooling (read this in the "about me" on the right).  I've loved it because I get to be with my kids 100% of the time. I've also hated it for the same reason.  Emilie is a peace maker and a diligent worker so I've pretty much loved home schooling her.

She is also a gracious, fun, and bright friend.

Years ago I began praying that God would give me a close friend.  It seemed that He was slow in answering, until early last year when He revealed to me just how generous He had been to give me that dear friend in my own Emilie {love}.

She's not just my bestie though, she's also Josie's. To say that Josie adores Emilie is an understatement.  A few weeks ago after Emilie had been in classes for the day and was due home, Josie had her nose pressed against the front window waiting. Impatient she asked, "when is Emilie going to be here?!"  "Soon," I replied. Then she declared loudly, "I just love Emilie!"  (Note to self: Get Jos her own stash of emergency chocolate).

So you can see why it's going to be a serious bummer not having Emilie around 24/7,

and also why I'm a bit jealous of high school; I envy every friend she'll make (seriously people, you're get'n a top notch pal).
But I know it's best to...
let
her
go.


For her 8th grade promotion ceremony I was asked to share my hopes for Emilie's future.
It seemed fitting that my hopes would come from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott- a book Emilie and I laughed and cried to as we read it together a few home schooling years ago.

“My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.” 

Though I selfishly want to keep Em all to myself, I know that the more independence she has from me the more dependent she will become on her Father God...
and this sentimentally ill Mama wants that for my sweet girl more than anything.

Live in Peace,