As an English major in college, I read a good deal from the works of William Shakespeare. One of his best-known lines comes from Romeo and Juliet; you’ve probably heard it or said it yourself: “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” Sorrowful parting is also “sweet” since it builds excitement in us for the next time we’ll see each other.

 

I’ve thought a lot about this concept since we dropped my son off at college in Phoenix this past Monday. That happened only two days ago, but I already can’t wait for the week of Thanksgiving, when he’ll be home for a visit back here in Spokane. I want to keep saying goodbye over and over and over, until, all of the sudden, Thanksgiving is here. And, of course, I will have something to be incredibly thankful for this year!

 

This season of life came too quickly for me. One of the “downsides” of raising a strong, independent young man is that he’s actually strong and independent! He’s ready to live far away and become an adult and I’m just not ready for him to be so ready. Yet, as Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” So, I’ll hold on to all of the great memories and rest in the fact that he is God’s child and he has always been God’s child. I was just blessed with the immense privilege of raising him for the past 18 years. And my sorrow is sweet because each “goodbye” means a very special “hello” is just around the corner.

 

Troy Burns