After the busy-ness of June and the holiday weekend, this week finds our house a little quieter.mostly because our two youngest have gone off to camp.

Ahh Camp Buckeye -or Camp "Bug-eye", as Clay has referred to it ever since his first journey there to drop off a sister - a sweet little camp nestled in the corner of an adjoining county. It's only 10 minutes from our house so I'm aware of every thunderstorm they experience while they're away, but the adventures summer camp offers makes the kids feel as if home is in a distant land. Camp Buckeye gives them a new perspective on life.

This is Clay's first year at camp. For the past three or four years he has been champing at the bit, ready and waiting for his turn to come. I, on the other hand, have been watching this time approach with a bittersweet feeling in my heart. There is just something about seeing your 'baby" approach those huge milestones in life that tugs on the heartstrings.

Don't get me wrong, I know that it is crucial that we allow our children the opportunity to live life apart from us. That really is a goal in parenting! But the loosening of those heartstrings, even as gentle as it may be, has some pain attached. And that's not a bad thing! The phrase "no pain, no gain" comes to mind, and it's true. Most of the truly good stuff in life - the stuff worth working for, the stuff that leaves behind the best memories - has some pain attached.

Parenting is proof of that! And while I've never been an athlete or a soldier I believe those who have would tell you the same. "No pain, no gain". Most often the things we accomplish in the midst of pain tend to be the things we end up valuing the most. (hmmm, I think the holiday we just celebrated may give testimony to that saying too.)

And so it is today in my little corner of the world, this mama is feeling a little pain in having the chicks out of the nest, but I know they will come home having gained much. And I will have gained from it too. Separation from that which we can tend to take for granted gives us a new appreciation of how great the value of that person or thing (ever live without water or electricity for any length of time?) really is. And a new perspective is seldom a bad thing!

But.I can't wait to feel that first hug of "I missed you so much!".and hear their stories.and hear the new songs they learned while they were there.and hear what made them a little sad.'cause there's always a little bit of all of those things that come home from camp with them. (as well as a good bit of laundry =)

I can't wait to see how they've grown, physically, relationally, and spiritually. I can't wait to find out what their "favorite camp memory" is. And I can't wait for the week to be over so I know they're not homesick.and my heartstrings can relax a little bit.

Until next time.
Beth

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