Your Hand Is Never Empty

​Today I am working on my daughter's wedding dress. My last child to get married and leave the nest. I'm sure I might be a little more sentimental than other women, but I'm also sure there are women who feel the same way I do. It's hard to let your children go, bottom line. Whether that means your baby's first day of school, first year of college or first day taking another's last name. Kathryn went shopping with me the other day and we had the three oldest grand babies with us. On the way home that night she asked~"when do kids get easier mom?" I laughed and responded~"never". I cried as I watched their tiny little hands wave goodbye to me on their first day of school and I cried all the way from Pensacola, FL to Caseville, MI when we dropped each one off to college. I knew and still know in my heart that everything will be ok because I gave my children to the Lord the moment they were born. I prayed for them every single day and I knew that when I could not hold their hand any longer, no matter how far away they might be~ my Savior was holding their hand for me. That doesn't mean there hasn't been heartache, wrong decisions, late nights with no sleep, but only worry and prayers. It hasn't always been easy, but I knew in my heart that whether my kids lived right down the street or in Japan serving the Lord as a missionary (as Andrea was leaning toward), they would never have the peace of God if I held them back from His calling. So, I will let go of Kathryn's hand soon as she becomes Josh's wife and trust my Savior with their future, knowing that He will not only be holding her hand, He will be holding my empty one as well.