{snapshot} another goodbye

The other day, I took a picture in my mind.

I was in the garage holding Arianna. We were watching Luke back out on his way to class. He had only just gotten home from work an hour or so ago. I watched her take it all in, trying to process the information with her little brain. I half expected her to burst into tears, because that was how I felt.

That is a snapshot of our life right now. We spent our summer rushing from one event to the next. Amazingly, much of the wrap-up work that usually takes me months is already done. I've unpacked our suitcases from the camping trip and settled back into normal life.

Only-- this normal doesn't feel all that familiar. We were thrilled when OU accepted Luke into their graduate program for philosophy. But since then, the excitement has worn off. Now we are just counting the cost-- not just tuition, but time.

Luke ended up signing up for three evening classes this semester. We both agreed that while it would be tough, we would give it a shot. But then he found out that there are certain extracurricular activities that are somewhat required of students-- special lectures and guest speakers and receptions and discussions... Throw in the overtime that he's having to put in at work, and I hardly see my husband anymore.

Part of me wants to rewind our lives back to the time when he would come home from work and leave work at work, when he could help me clean up after dinner, and we had the luxury of reading together on the couch or watching a movie.

But I know that was a season that God gave to us. And this is the season He has for us now. He is teaching me to trust-- trust that He is still in control, that He has Luke where He wants him, and that He will take care of Arianna while her father is away.

And trusting is a very good place to be.