family

Today Beth and Sarah and their kids had to leave.

It is never easy to send them back to their lives 

in Cincinnati  and Hudson.

I am always sad.

There are always tears.

I always plan to have something that I need to do outside of the house.

Today was the first time 

they dropped me off at soccer practice on their way out of town.

Today was the first time

I wondered if I would be able to get stuff done after they left.

Today was the first time 

they did not stop at KCU to tell their daddy goodbye.

Today was the first time 

they left knowing their daddy will not be here the next time they come home.

Today was the first time 

Bill was not going to be home after I said goodbye to the kids.

 Today was the first time

I could not pray for the team after practice.

Today was the first time I cried on the shoulder of our coaches.

I thought I was done after Joshua hugged me-

but the tears started again so I cried on Jeremy.

For good measure I cried on the athletic trainer's shoulder.

I probably would have cried on the assistant coaches shoulder 

if he had been around.

Today is the first time I dreaded coming home to an empty house.

When Jeremy asked if I wanted to go to a high school soccer game with him, Emily and Joshua, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Today, 

NOT for the first time,

I am thankful for family

I am thankful for friends

I am thankful for friends who have become family

I have seen God through their love.

I John 4:12

No one has ever seen God; 

but if we love one another, 

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.