It was great having Justin & Kacey here for 3 days! Mary and I LOVE spending time with our kids and their spouses! I can remember when I would go home to Paducah to visit Mom & Dad. With every trip there always came the time of departure. The time when I would throw the last piece of luggage into the car while Mom & Dad were standing in the driveway fighting back tears. We would exchange hugs, climb into the car and begin the "drive-away." A quick look back to see Mom & Dad waving goodbye and turning to walk back into the house as we did a quick toot of the car horn. Now, it's Mary and I standing in the driveway. We've been the ones standing in the driveway fighting back the tears as the kids drive away or get out at the airport. And, it doesn't get any easier. We are sooooo proud of our kids! We are blessed. They have grown into wonderful "adult" people. And I think that's what makes it so hard. The realization that they are no longer "kids." But now, because of our upcoming move to Florida, we are eliminating one of the drive-aways. It will be great living near Lyndsey, Andrew and the grandkids when that time comes. But we'll still have to do the "drive-away" whenever Justin & Kacey visit. The visit is always worth it though! Thanks for taking the time and effort to visit on your way to OK. We love you! Drive safely....
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Drive-Away...
It was great having Justin & Kacey here for 3 days! Mary and I LOVE spending time with our kids and their spouses! I can remember when I would go home to Paducah to visit Mom & Dad. With every trip there always came the time of departure. The time when I would throw the last piece of luggage into the car while Mom & Dad were standing in the driveway fighting back tears. We would exchange hugs, climb into the car and begin the "drive-away." A quick look back to see Mom & Dad waving goodbye and turning to walk back into the house as we did a quick toot of the car horn. Now, it's Mary and I standing in the driveway. We've been the ones standing in the driveway fighting back the tears as the kids drive away or get out at the airport. And, it doesn't get any easier. We are sooooo proud of our kids! We are blessed. They have grown into wonderful "adult" people. And I think that's what makes it so hard. The realization that they are no longer "kids." But now, because of our upcoming move to Florida, we are eliminating one of the drive-aways. It will be great living near Lyndsey, Andrew and the grandkids when that time comes. But we'll still have to do the "drive-away" whenever Justin & Kacey visit. The visit is always worth it though! Thanks for taking the time and effort to visit on your way to OK. We love you! Drive safely....
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6 comments:
Thanks for the kind words Dad! It was great getting to hang out for a couple days. The drive-aways are no fun for the kids too.
You're right. I've been on both ends.
We're so glad we could visit longer than originally planned. It's always fun & y'all take great care of us! Thanks.
Nice piece Mike. I read it and kinda got that "gut punch". I never thought much about the Drive-Away but then remembered someone is leaving and others are always standing there waving. Like you, I've been on both sides - neither is great at the moment.
It's funny that you brought this up because I was waiting for Megan at TIA last week at the same gate we said good-bye to Charlie before his deployments to Iraq. Even though we could half-heartedly joke around to ease the tension - it was absolutely gut-wrenching.
Probably my most memorable was just as you described. Care and I were leaving Grandpa West's after spending a few weeks there and he said - "Teddy, if I don't see you again have a great life" That was the last time I saw him - standing there waving from the front porch. Still brings a tear to this dfay
Geez, you guys are really getting to me. I'll never forget the drive-aways from Mom and Dad's. I get a taste of the drive-away virtually every week when I drop Clay off at his mom's and come home to an empty house.
I'm late on this touching post... but it was definitely hard to read. I'm just so glad I won't have to experience it anymore. I'm so grateful!!!! We cannot WAIT to have you guys down. We love you so much!
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