This Is Not Goodbye

     Raising kids is not an easy task. The years of sleepless nights and the days full of chaos, cleaning, cooking and nursing them back to health.  It is a lot of work to raise kids.  This doesn't even include the hours of worry and stress.  The feeling that you could of done it better or should of done something different.  I am learning as my daughter has left on her mission, that I did the very best I could.  After all she is serving the Lord and chose to do so herself at 19 years old. She left her dance career and a boy who she totally thinks the world of all behind to follow the Lord and serve others.  So, I guess I must of done something right.
   She has been gone for about 3 weeks now and it is still tough.  I miss her like crazy.  I pray often for strength.  The nights are the hardest. I have a house full of teens still but the night time was always ours.  So I find myself facebooking , trying to do my Scentsy business, and writing to her.  Still I sit with tears streaming down my face.  Then I think, am I too weak? Why is this so hard ?  I have gotten great letters and emails from her.  She is so happy and proud and touching so many peoples lives.  She is teaching a man with terminal cancer now.  I know she is an answer to his prayers. Also, a family from a foreign country with 2 small children.  She is helping them be a forever family like us.
   Last night I was listening to her Spotify playlist and found this song from her.  She had the list labeled "For You MOM". Oh my gosh I cried like a big baby and am still crying as I write this.  "This is not goodbye its just I love you to take with you until your home again."  Such wisdom in those words.  Such comfort and joy.  I know that we are an eternal family and I have her forever.  It is never goodbye.  It is now my job as a mother of a missionary to support her and let her go so that others will have their families forever too.
     I know there will still be long nights and tears will still flow.  I am learning how to let go and let God as a friend of mine says.  I am human and a mother.  Do we ever have to fully let go?  I just have to loosen her ribbons a bit until she is home again.
     I would love to hear from other Mom's out there how they handled their children growing up and following their dreams.  Does it get easier?