At the centre of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want ~ Lao Tzu

Wednesday, July 10

WOYWW 214 - More journalling...

What a week!!

Our gorgeous boy is in Slovakia on a trip organized by Rotary International - his first time travelling solo...

He missed his flight on Friday, so we had a second 2am start on Saturday! We haven't heard from him since he arrived in Zvolen, exhausted but happy.

We trust he is safe, well and having fun. He's on a cycling camp with 20 teenagers from 20 countries - an amazing opportunity!

Meanwhile, I am endeavouring to keep calm and busy, reading, journalling...

Here's my desk as of Tuesday afternoon


Today's entry is from this fascinating book, and I printed out this quote from the preface:

A Strong Woman vs A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape…
but a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the better of her…
but a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future…
but a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be unexpected blessings, and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face…
but a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

(Author unknown)
I know this is a great dry-run for empty-nest time (our kids are 17 and 15), but I am experiencing that 'missing limb' feeling, which other mothers have described, and I don't like it... not one little bit...

So, I'm planning to visit as many desks as possible over at the Stamping Ground, as I'm sure that'll cheer me up no end...

Till next week, when he'll he safely home :)





 
 
 
 

40 comments:

Silvia said...

Ah, I remember it well. I think it is more difficult for us Mothers to let go than for the kids to do the going.I think we feel more abandon than they do!!!
Happy WOYWW
Silvia#32

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've never had children, but I can empathize. I love that saying you wrote. It is SO true. Happy WOYWW from #2.

Helen said...

Hope you son doesn't miss his flight home too... your desk looks great. Helen 17

RosA said...

I'm sure your son will have a fabulous time! Thanks for stopping by and have a good week.
Rosa # 23

BJ said...

Gosh this will be an anxious week for you. I can't imagine my son ever going anywhere on his own! He's 14 now and won't even walk in to the village! Looking forward to next week's post from you. Thanks for visiting me already BJ#36

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

What a lovely verse and how true. When your children leave home, you have to see it, not as an end, but the start of lots of new possibilities. If they leave home successfully, then you know you have done a great job of bringing them up and fitting them for the world. Let them go and they will always come back. Thank you for your visit today and I can, at least, be grateful that the weather is being reasonable cooperative. Have a good week, and remember that bad news travels at the speed of light, good news is more relaxed and arrives eventually. xx Maggie #10

Julie Lee said...

I remember when mine flew the nest and how hard it is...but my daughter is nineteen and going to uni from home at the moment and my 22 yr old son went to uni and has returned now he's graduated, so sometimes they don't fly away for ever when they do go. I'm sure the journaling will help and of course the wonderful woyww! Thanks so much for stopping by mine desk earlier. You are always welcome! Julie Ann #55

Bridget Larsen said...

Great words of wisdom. I am sure your son is having such a good time and will eventually miss you.
Bridget #1

Neet said...

Very hard when the children fly the nest, even for a short time but you will cope and crafting will help occupy your mind for short spells. Keep crafting - he is having a ball out there.
Great words of wisdom.
Thanks for visiting me earlier - Hugs, Neet 9 xx

sandra de said...

Lovely words about women and strength. Your son looks like he is ready for an adventure. He will be home before you realise with many stories to share.
Sandra de @84

Belinda said...

My boys are little right now but I stress over their safety in many ways. Trust that all your good mothering will guide him safely home to you after his amazing adventure. It sounds like a lovely opportunity for him. In the meantime crafting and reading are great distractions. Just think of all the pretty things you will create to share with him when he returns.

Have a blessed day!

Belinda (20)

Elizabeth said...

Hello Claire, how I remember that feeling so well ... I was devastated when my 'little boy' left home and kept checking in on him just to be sure he was okay! And, no, it didn't help that everyone assured me he would be just fine ... even if they were right :) Distraction therapy is what is needed just as you are doing. Like the verse quoted - it's so true. Hope you have a good day. Elizabeth x #57

glitterandglue said...

What a lovely quote. You are showing yourself to be a woman of strength - you have - and still do - face so much. Well done.
Hard when they go away for the first time, isn't it? Remember when our two did that - seems like a lifetime ago now. They did survive, they came back, and even now they are both married with their own children, still look to us for help and advice sometimes.
Have a special week knowing you are so precious in the sight of God.
Margaret #66

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I think you are a true woman of strength, Claire..in many different ways......
All I can say is that it does get marginally easier...my eldest son is 20 and just finishing his second year at Uni. When you see how they've grown up, it's easier to let go somehow...though I sobbed for two months when he first left! Hope your son has an amazing experience :-)
Hugs, LLJ 45 xx

voodoo vixen said...

Love the words about a woman of strength, very true indeed. Your son will be having an amazing time, it is hard to see them go off on their own. I cried for ages when my son went overseas to university and couldn't get out of the habit of laying the table for 3. :( Annette #7

Nan G said...

Great quote. Thanks for the earlier visit. Happy WOYWW! Nan G #22

C said...

Thank you for sharing the lovely poem..so true.

Our boys flew the nest long ago...the first one was the hardest. I guess our job is to give them wings and if we do it right, they fly back home. Praying your son arrives safely.

#27

Anonymous said...

It is so hard when they are away from you and you no longer have control over their lives. I am reminded of a bit of writing from Erma Bombeck:

Kids are like kites

You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.

You run with them until you are both breathless.

They crash. They hit the rooftop.

You patch and comfort, adjust and teach.

You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday, they will fly.

Finally, they are airborne;

They need more string and you keep letting it out;

But with each twist of the ball of twine,
There is a sadness that goes with joy.

The kite becomes more distant and you know it won't be long before that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you two together and will soar, free and alone.

Only then do you know that you did your job.

Damn, that made me cry....

Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (56)

Krisha said...

Hi Claire,
Thanks for the earlier visit.
It is the hardest thing to let go of young adults. My youngest son left first, 250 miles away! It took me 3 years to quit crying after a visit with him.....that was 16 yrs ago. I still get teary eyed today, but so happy to see HIM happy. The pain is like no other, but neither is the joy of seeing them happy in their lives.

So your not alone, we are all here to help you anytime you need it!
Hugs
Krisha #5

Almo said...

Hi Claire, Thanks for your visit. I dont have any children, but I think Mary anne puts it in a good way above. I am sure he is fine, you know what boys are like, my brother always forgot to keep in touch with mum when he went away. Have a great day. Hugs Mo x #60

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Claire, my boys are 13 and 16, soon to have birthdays and I too am dreading the day... and not just because I can't reach the top shelf in the kitchen cupboards! Your quote was very thought provoking, thank you for sharing it today. Hope the sun comes back to you soon, just not quite so strongly! Thanks for your visit, have a good week. MMx #59

Unknown said...

I love the quote. Thanks for stopping by. happy crafting #7

shazsilverwolf said...

Indeed, occupying your mind will stop you fretting too much. He will come back having ahd a fabulous time, learnt much about himself & others, even in just a week. And most of all he will have learned about loving your kids enough to let them become their own person. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz xx #51

Robin said...

Oh Claire, I can empathize with you totally. My boys are 29 and 21. I'm still not liking the empty nest however it does allow me to find out who I am besides a mother!

Your son will have memories that will last a lifetime and the week will fly by. After reading your "entry" I would imagine you to be the Woman of Strength! Thank you for sharing that. Hugs, Rasz #111

trisha too said...

Claire, I'm having that feeling this week, too--our two oldest got married this spring, and moved out, and the two youngest are at camp this week (no where as far away as your boy!!), so there's a perpetual feeling as if there's something missing . . . slightly off . . .

Thank you for visiting me this WOYWW, I appreciate your comment!

:)trisha
delighted to be #26 this week, instead of my usual 200--something!

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh Claire, I recognise this. My baby is 20 and just starting to flee for short periods at a time and I've adjusted. I don't like it, but I have. But all the time with her..no news is good news..she only ever rings or texts if she needs something or has something gone wrong..I'm learning that we`re pretty much out of sight....how do you love and hate their independence at the same time?!!

Ali H said...

Thanks for stopping by ! My friend in Germany taught me the phrase Ich Kann nur behalten, was ich auch loslassen kann - I can only keep what I can let go - she was very wise ! Hope you find a calm place & your son's trip goes well ! Ali x 49

Unknown said...

My "baby" is now 30 but when we moved and he didn't move with us (he was 19 and had a good job), my heart was broken. (I'll be seeing him in a month.) The poem is fabulous and your desk sure looks busy! Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #101

Anne said...

Hello Claire ad thankyou for visiting me today. A lovely , interesting desk you have. I have two sons and they both flew the nest a long time ago. It was very hard when they left and I still shed a tear or two when they visit and go or we visit them ad have to leave. However I take comfort that they have grown into hardworking independent men now taking care of their own families. Anne x #50 x

Anonymous said...

Another rite of passage as the kids get a bit older I suspect. You can pat yourself on the back for raising an independent, adventurous son who I'm sure will make you proud in years to come. Not easy to let go though. Keep busy, you've got the right idea! Great poem today.

Hugs
Brenda 3

Daniella said...

Love that!! And I love that you are making an awesome journal!!
I'm glad your son is fine and enjoying his trip!
xxDaniella#14

Daniella said...

Love that!! And I love that you are making an awesome journal!!
I'm glad your son is fine and enjoying his trip!
xxDaniella#14

Claire Grantham said...

Hi Claire, thanks for swinging by my desk..I hope the desk visits have made you feel better :) I had a good first day at work and I am now at my desk, having a celebratory beer and crafting...bliss. Happy WOYWW Cx #30

peggy aplSEEDS said...

happy WOYWW! i'm happy to get a chance to peek at your desk today! great quotation that you posted. my kids are 19, 23 and 26 years so i know what you mean!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS@18

Darnell said...

Hang in there mama Claire! As you said, what a fabulous experience for your son! That's the main thing to focus on. He will never forget this memory for as long as he lives. Letting them fly solo is the greatest gift a parent can give a child. And that poem you shared is the greatest expression of a strong woman!!

Try to enjoy the week and thank you for coming to visit me! Happy WOYWW ~ keep busy!! Darnell #24

Spyder said...

When my Maria was twelve she said she wanted to live in America, so I said, if that's what you want...go to it! much later she got a job out there, worked hard, married and now has a lovely home in the middle of nowhere which she shares with hubby and our first grandson, it's hard that she's so far away, but it's everything she wanted and more! Even after all this time I still miss my leg....and an arm!! Have a great crafty week! Happy WoYwW!?
((Lyn)) #11

mamapez5 said...

I understand what you are feeling, but before long your son will be home safe and sound, and what wonderful stories he will have to tell you. I love the poem and have copied it for future reference. Kate x #46

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

hullo there Claire thanks for popping over well well done on your daughter :D on post above and son missed first flight hope that is the only one and keeps safe .. watching le tour at the moment have fun like the bit about the strong women wearing grace.. Happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #36

Lisa-Jane said...

Goodness it must be odd with one of them away! Mine are 4 and 7 so a long way off yet and at least I get to craft alone ;-)

Queen Lightwell said...

My baby is 14 yrs old and I do dread the empty nest days already! In complete sympathy with you. :) Your desk looks interesting and like you've been busy! Thanks for sharing the quote with us and for visiting my desk already. :) Deeyll #48