Terry’s celebration was really nice…all our children and their mates and our three grandchildren came and ate and played games!
We also learned that the father of our Grandchildren has been selected to be the new principal at Craig, Colorado.
Craig is three hours away from us. Do I laugh with joy or cry with sadness?
Bladen will be in the Seventh Grade next year–a year of huge changes for him.
No more just running across the field (they are heading home in this photo)to see what we are doing, or to get a snack, or to catch a ride with Grandpa.
No more randomness.
We will work hard to keep them close….as time permits we will travel there to be with them. We will bring them home with us, if they want to come, and their new lives will let them.
It’s all too special to let slip away. It is also selfish of us to ask them to not go. We are very proud of Kelly, please understand that, it is the leaving that makes Terry and I sad.
Now our hope is that they will be able to return sometime in the future. I hope this isn’t being a selfish hope! We will work hard to leave it up to what is best for all of them.
Still…I do think you understand.
You also know that time has a way of making everything right. My Momma would always say—‘everything works out for the best–if you will let it.’
So we will let it.
When our son was born, my parents also moved up by Craig, Colorado—they moved to Hayden. Daddy had gotten a job with Colorado Ute (now called Tri-State). So it is, with a touch of irony, that my youngest daughter and our son-in-law, and grandchildren are moving back. Life really does have some odd little jogs and jags in it, doesn’t it?
(Don’t forget you might have to remind of this—that life always works out for the best.)
Sigh,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Your Momma was a wise woman, especially the part about. “if you will let it.” I don’t think you’re being selfish… but then I have tears in my eyes. Today is my Grandma’s birthday and I miss her.
Big hugs to you and Terry.
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I now just how you feel about your son and grandkids moving. Even if it is in the same state it’s hard. Our oldest son moved his family from MT where he was less than a 1/2 hour away from us here in ND down to Colorado Springs. They were there for a year. At the time our only grandchild was 4 just turning 5 years old. She was used to spending most of her time at the ranch with us. It as a horrible year for her and us. Thankfully, they moved back this way. They are now 120 miles north of us at Williston, ND. When I complain about not getting to see my grandkids (now they are 3 in number) I remember that awful year when there were those many miles between ND and CO separating our granddaughter and us. We try to attend all of the 4-H, sports and school activities that we can. The grandkids would be here at the ranch every weekend and all summer if their folks would let them. Hope you get to see yours often! Being a grandparent is one of life’s best experiences!
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oh, i can feel your heartache, as well as your pride in them making their own life. bless you all.
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It’s hard to see family move away, but as difficult as it is your Momma was right. Hopefully your family will move back in the future.
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New adventures… Send to be allot of new adventures starting up. Best of luck with the new job. At least it is not a long way away ~ and yes, I understand. Smiles 🙂
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I understand. You understand. I will not try to say anything else because you said it all!
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Hmmmm, yes … it will work itself out. However, I would be sad, too! That’s okay to feel it – better than being happy to see them go, right??
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Aww. You will miss them! Good that you have lots of photos. But, they are not lost. They’ll be back. You’ll be there. Life is full of adventures. And it does work out just as it should. Hugs.
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Wow ! Your story is bittersweet…..but your Mom is right that things work out for the best for all concerned. I do understand but still its hard to have that closeness yanked away. I hear your sadness and your understanding of their situation but its so hard to rejoice with them cause what it means to you. Prayers for all concerned ! LIFE has its twists and turns.
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Oh, Linda, I am so sad for you. Happy for them, but still…I hope their new adventure goes well and that you can still see them often!
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My daughter and her family live 1 1/2 hours away by freeway so I know how you feel when they move away. But emails and phones can bring us together and those times when we are really together are even more special.
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Oh Linda, I’m so sorry. I know how much it hurts—but this will all work out for the best for everyone. We raise our children and then we have to ‘let them go’…. None of mine live close-by —but we find ways to keep in touch. You will also…. Congrats to them on the new job opportunity.
Guess you’ve read on FB or my blog that I will have Gallbladder Surgery this Thursday… Should be a piece of cake–and needs to be done.
Hugs,
Betsy
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Oh, honey – how hard…It’s ok – and normal – to be happy for them at the same time you’re sad for you. Three hours isn’t too bad…but it sure isn’t as close as ‘just across the field’.
Big Hugs to you!
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Congrats to Kelly! I have a few teacher friends and I know it can be hard sometimes to move up in the ranks. My dad and step-mom, along with my grandmother, live a couple hours from us. It’s a lovely drive and a lovely place, and I’m sure your daughter and family feel the same way about California Mesa. I bet they’ll make the trip back often, whenever they need an exhale.
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Big changes. Tough changes. But your mom had it right. It will be for the best. And you are smart to let it be.
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Dear Linda, I do feel for you. My closest family is a two day drive away. The rest of them are further still, and most are on the other side of the world. But if you want, you can still see them every day. Skype is a wonderful thing. They haven’t quite got round to SkypeHug yet, but you can see and talk, and if they have a laptop, you can walk around the house with them, or go out into the yard to look at things. It’s not quite as random, but you have been exceptionally fortunate with how things were before… Open your hands and let them go, and they will come back to you. xoxoxox
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Oh Linda, I can understand your sadness all too well. I’m sure you will find ways of staying close and making the best of it. I like your mother’s philosophy; it was my mother’s too.
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I’m sad for you but things can and will change……for every thing there is a season.
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Oh I feel for you! It makes the get togethers even more special. My family is 4 hours away. My son is 7 hours away. And yeah, I squeeze him extra hard and extra long when we get together.
Cheri
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Oh, what a ‘caught in the middle’ situation. On the one hand, how wonderful to have that opportunity in one’s career, but on the other hand… they are leaving! Ouch! Hugs to you. You are right, it will all work out, even if it hurts thinking about it now.
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I’m sure it is hard for them to leave as well. I recently moved across the country and can only see my parents twice a year. It’s hard, but when I do visit it’s for longer periods (a week or so instead of a night or so). We appreciate our time together and we argue much less!
I lived a two hour drive from my grandparents growing up. I’m so lucky I got to see them once every six weeks or so. Today we keep in touch through phone calls and letters. I’m so glad we’re still close even though I live far away.
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Oh no! Oh…..I’m sad along with you. I will pray for the very best outcome of this move for your daughter and her family and your family. Trust in what your mother said …. it sounds right even if it hurts about now.
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I understand why you are sad. Our Grandboys are 2 1/2 hours away but we do get to see them more often than the girls that live 1 hour away. It will work out…but it ain’t easy:)
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Dear Linda,
you know how I feel for you. I’m thinking of you – with love, Valerie
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What a confusing time for you all. It is hard to see them move away – my daughter is moving 3 hours away next month – it’s hard for us Mums. But Skype is amazing. I Skype my sister in Australia and it’s almost like having a coffee with her. Do you have “snapchat” on your phone. You take a picture add a line of message and send it. The recipient can see it for a few seconds and then it goes but is good for spontaneity.
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It will work out for the best but these kinds of changes are really hard. My mother and mother-in-law have always lived quite far away (six and twelve hours). We treasure our time with them and go to great lengths to make sure that the kids are very connected with them. I really think that my kids are closer to their grandparents than lots of our friends here who have them right next door. Thinking of you and hoping the changes go well.
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I understand the emotions on both sides of this coin, as the ones leaving and the ones being left. We are thankful for jobs when so many have none. My grandchildren are 2-1/2 hours away. Some days, I long to be next door to bake cookies together, have impromptu visits and such. I’m glad you’ve had this time with yours close by, as they’ve grown up knowing you. Visits are always great to look forward to. It’ll be tough at first, but it gets better. Hugs to you, and congratulations to Kelly. You will be able to keep in touch via the internet, too, what a blessing that is!
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I do understand. It really hurts the heart to lose that nearness with those you love. Hoping the future brings many opportunities for you to still visit each other. At least three hours isn’t three states or three thousand miles.
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Although my mom and sister and extended family live 6 000 miles away, I think I can understand that a much smaller distance can still feel big. What you have to remember is that when you will get to see them it will be for a longer time. When I see my family it is for weeks and not just over lunch or dinner. And you are a blogger, so you write and you can maintain a great relationship as long as you write. Best to you and your son for his new job.
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Oh my, your post brings tears to my eyes and stings my heart. I know how much you love those grandbabies. It would have been so easy over the years to become “another parent” to the kids and not really establish the fact that grandparents should be a blessing and delight for childrens souls.
Many hugs and prayers for a transition that will be a good one for all.
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Wow. Just wow…
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Big hugs to you both xx
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