September 1, 2013
We stood in the field house at Whitworth University last night and sang Amazing Grace. It was the final event capping off the day that we moved Ben into Mac Hall, the same dorm that we moved Daniel into six years ago to the day.
Of course the journey to this place this weekend included some bittersweet moments for Carol and me. This is a great school for Ben, with fantastic and dedicated faculty, staff, and student leaders who will inspire and envelope him in the same learning community that was so rich for Daniel during his time here that was way too brief.
Ben is very excited and it is
great to see him launching into his new adventure so rich with opportunities. It is thrilling and feels so right for Ben and
we can't wait to see him blossom and flourish here.
But, carrying his stuff into Mac Hall included many trips walking past Daniel's dorm room right inside a main entrance, and then out to the memorial bench we had erected right across the walkway from the front door. Coming back here with our second son is complicated in so many ways.
But, carrying his stuff into Mac Hall included many trips walking past Daniel's dorm room right inside a main entrance, and then out to the memorial bench we had erected right across the walkway from the front door. Coming back here with our second son is complicated in so many ways.
And, several of the Whitworth faculty
and staff who connected with us over Daniel have again reached out and very intentionally
welcomed and embraced us as we completed our second journey as parents delivering
a son to this wonderful campus.
Our quiet longing for Daniel courses through our hearts and souls as those memories are stirred, while we also look on with excitement and anticipation as Ben dives into his new life, with his own memory-making experiences unfolding before him.
So singing this song of Amazing Grace – the very words that came to me as I began this journal the day Daniel died – these words and the reality of amazing grace in this journey all leave me in deep wonder and awe at its “coincidence” at this time, in this place, for this troubled soul!
Truly, amazing grace is flowing in seemingly perfect circles around my still broken heart – thanks be to God and to the wonderful people who embraced us in God’s arms this weekend!
Our quiet longing for Daniel courses through our hearts and souls as those memories are stirred, while we also look on with excitement and anticipation as Ben dives into his new life, with his own memory-making experiences unfolding before him.
So singing this song of Amazing Grace – the very words that came to me as I began this journal the day Daniel died – these words and the reality of amazing grace in this journey all leave me in deep wonder and awe at its “coincidence” at this time, in this place, for this troubled soul!
Truly, amazing grace is flowing in seemingly perfect circles around my still broken heart – thanks be to God and to the wonderful people who embraced us in God’s arms this weekend!
Not closure but an unfolding of more grace.
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