POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

The moments have turned into days, the days turn into years.
We’ve watched you grow. We’ve seen success and now there come the tears.
I know I should be happy for all that lies ahead.
A family together – a new life to start – united again in God’s strong arms –
so why do these tears I shed?
It’s so hard to say goodbye to a family you call your own.
When they were young and starting out, who would have ever known,
that some distant day they would leave and cut a path alone.
I know The Lord will be with them, but my heart is breaking inside.
Take care of them, Lord, protect and sustain and with them always abide.

This poem was written when my oldest daughter and her family moved from Minnesota to S. Carolina, several years ago. It is filled with melancholy, but also hope in the Lord. Time has healed our hearts somewhat, but when we are separated from family it seems to take a long time to feel good again.

I know being together is necessary for us, but times are so different in this world now. Families used to live very close together – which wasn’t always the best scenario. They gathered at least a few times a year to have picnics, reunions, holidays, etc. Now families are separated by many miles, due to job opportunities or simply seeking a different climate or trying to go it alone. All of which are good reasons.

This year our youngest grandchild will be graduating from high school. She will have memories of a pandemic that altered her celebration and final year. She’ll undoubtedly regret not having memories of her Senior prom or attending football games, homecoming events, etc. Instead she’ll have a stories about isolation, masks, social distancing and learning online. She will be reminded of a political movement which divided her fellow Americans. She can teach her own children about tolerance and justice. She will also be able to tell them that God has always been in control of her life.

Our middle grandson is in his final year of college and now employed as an intern for a company he may eventually work for. He’s getting a taste of what his future might hold. Learning the ropes, so to speak. Venturing out on his own for the first time is a challenge no matter what age you are.

Our oldest grandson is teaching English in S. Korea and has been for the past two years. He’s the furthest away from us, but fortunately we can still contact him via email and Zoom. There are always ways to keep in touch now, unlike in the past when you had to travel to see each other.

Our children are in the prime of their careers and all successful at what they do. Health issues are beginning to enter their lives as the usually do when you’re near the 50 year mark. We see physical changes, see them becoming wise in their thinking, enjoying the fruits of their labors and sharing with others of their time, talents and generosity. We see gray hair and a few wrinkles (thankfully they’ve inherited their father’s youthful appearance.)

Time goes on – people move in and out of our lives – those we love move away or become busy. Through this pandemic we have learned to live apart from each other, but our lives will always be joined until we leave this earth. Even after that, the memories will remain and live on through the sharing of them.

No matter what age we are, it’s difficult to let go, but we always have the One true God to guide us through the mess of living – to lift us when we’re in the pits – to encourage us through His Word – to strengthen us through His Spirit – to help us survive anything the world may throw at us.