Spending Time

Spending time with one child at a time can be special, can be a lot of work and can definitely be rewarding. Now “Lemme tell ya a little story bout a man named Jed…”

Several months ago, Allen and I helped #4 child pack her entire life into the Bookstore cargo van and her Honda to trek from Fort Wayne, IN across the Indiana, Ohio Turnpikes to Mechanicsburg, PA right outside Harrisburg. When we arrived in IN and opened the door to her apartment, my husband simply said, “No way.” The rain was cold that night and the wind incredibly high. Every time we opened the van doors, someone had to hold them to keep them from slamming shut. Oh and did I mention the two flights of stairs? Such is life. We got it all done, pumped up our portable mattresses and snoozed. Early the next morning, I walked across the parking lot to the Starbucks and got us all coffee and breakfast. (She’s gonna miss that convenience.) We sent Margaret and her cat on ahead of us so they would get to her place and get her keys before the Apartment Complex offices closed. Allen and I cleaned, fitting the full size vacuum in the tiny crack over the top of all we had packed by opening it to the flattest possible point. With a wood stool between us, we strapped in and started our journey.

As the sun rose, we could see the beautiful hills and valleys along the twists and turns of the Turnpike but we could not see anything out our back window. We were jam packed from top to bottom and everywhere in between. My husband turned suddenly and said, “Why do I feel like the Clampetts?” Short of the rocking chair on the roof, that was exactly how to describe us.

We’ll do anything for our children, won’t we? Eight hours up in an empty van that banged and rattled the entire way. Eight hours across with an overloaded yet much quieter van through hills and curves, knowing a toll bill would arrive when we returned home, silently hearing cha-ching for the IN and OH toll road systems. Then a little time spent unloading and putting together tables and beds to help give our daughter a place to feel at home while she enjoys a fresh start and begins a new job. Dinners and lunches with some time to spend discovering the city. Then, hugs and kisses and the downward ten hour trek with the familiar knocking and banging of an empty cargo van.

As we headed south from a beautiful 54 degree weekend in PA, we noticed plow trucks lining the interstates through VA. The rain poured hard for hours. Rain turned to snow and ice quickly but we kept moving. Pushing through despite the weather and road conditions, we finally got a break in the dark skies as we passed over the TN border. Home sweet home for these Clampetts.

I’m not gonna lie. Leaving our children in places where they know no one is difficult. I struggle leaving them period. This trip pulled at my heart and yet God gave us great signs along the way that she would be in His Hands. A beautiful sunset as we left Mass together Saturday evening. A young waitress sharing her contact information in case Margaret needed anything. And a lovely apartment complex community that seems to fit her life style perfectly (which she contracted after only seeing it on the internet). She’ll be working in-person for the first time in a year and I know these young people need that more than ever.

Uncle Jed and I were sore for days but settling Ellie Mae into a great place was worth every minute. Most importantly, spending time with her, talking and eating and laughing was the best.