Saying goodbye

Summer vacation is four-and-a-half school-days away.

Coryn has been counting down the days for several weeks.

Jo gets tearful when she hears the number. Jo knows it will likely be the last time they see their teachers and friends. She wonders what will become of their school. She says, I'm not ready to say goodbye.

This past week the girls have been coming home with their backpacks laden with odds and ends -- a music stand, rhythm sticks, a plastic glittery top hat and loads and loads of library books.

On the one hand, I am glad the girls will have these tangible reminders of our beloved school.

On the other hand, I have an urgency to purge the house of everything marked with the school's name.

I crave a clean slate, a new beginning, utter detachment from the emotional roller coaster.

I fear seeing an embroidered polo shirt or library book with a QoA barcode on the cover will launch me back down the rabbit hole of over-analyzing the past: What if we had done that? Surely then our school wouldn't have closed.

In my heart I know the truth.
God called us to the community to Queen of Apostles. And how God blessed us these past 5 years! The experiences and relationships we formed while at Queen of Apostles will forever be an integral part of our story. We wouldn't be who we are today without them.
We have no regrets.

Now God is calling us to a new school community.
Last week we registered the girls at an independent Catholic school. It was the third school the girls shadowed.

When I picked them up before lunch, Coryn blurted, Mom, it was the best one yet!

Jo said, Even though I don't know anyone there, I feel like I belong. Everyone was so kind to me.   


Last Sunday at mass Mallory tapped me and asked, Why is that man walking out with a golden bowl?

I whispered to her that The Body of Christ stays in a special place called a tabernacle. Of course Mallory wanted to see this special place.

After mass we walked over to the side chapel. I pointed out the candle that was lit above the tabernacle: That flame tells you that Jesus is present here right now. 

When I shared this story with a friend, he immediately asked how old Mallory is. She's four and very inquisitive, I responded.

He smiled and said, Tell Mallory she is a tabernacle too. Jesus lives in each of us.

I know it won't be easy to say goodbye on Friday. It is the end of one of our most favorite chapters. But I trust and believe Jesus will be with us always. Each of us is a tabernacle. We carry Christ's Light and Love wherever we go. And we will forever be Chargers at heart.