Highlights of Phase 2

About 3 years ago, Eric and I realized we were in Phase 2--or the launching cycle. Once in a while I remember, longingly, how it felt to cuddle a tiny baby and. . . feel a tinge of sadness. Even with all those sleepless nights, sore feedings, tired mornings, it really went by too fast.

But, there are some great things about phase 2. One of them happened when Ryan came home for Christmas. Wasn't it just a few short years ago that we were the ones heading for home on Christmas? Now we are the home they are coming to. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you have been away from a loved one for such a long time (4 months) and then you know you will be seeing them again. It's what gives you that holiday feeling that is similar to a taste--so distinct and almost indescribable.


Ryan left us as a teenager and came back as a man--a very curly haired, fuzzy-chinned man. We hardly recognized him at the airport. I asked him why he didn't get his hair cut at college and his response--"I heard that they don't know how to cut hair very good there." What? Need I remind him how much I know about cutting hair. He was so happy with his new style, we cleaned it up a bit and made him promise to get it cut--at least a few times this semester.

It was great having Ryan here with us. I even enjoyed doing his laundry again. In fact, I was amazed at all the new t-shirts he had from running 5k's at school. They will make a very nice t-shirt quilt--someday. Ryan did great at school and loves his karate class. He is majoring in mathematics and wants to be a dentist. Seeing him leave 2 weeks later--not a fun part of phase 2.