Addendum

It's a big day/week/year for another reason that I was just reminded of ... this young man begins his Ph.D studies today.  (Well, he sort of continues ... Jonathan's at the same institution, the University of Denver where he completed his MA in International Studies last spring).

Thanks to his mother-in-law, Maata ji (aka Kathy Kingsley) who took this wonderful picture back in the summer.

I am amazed and humbled that I have this privilege also ... of seeing my children work hard to discover and pursue what is important to them; to strive through challenges and hardships, to persevere in the ups and downs, toward significant goals.

I don't write too much about my adult children anymore here because, well, they are adults.  Their lives are their own to share or not, with the wide world, as they please.

There are many, many times that I miss the old days; the full house, the noise, the involvement in activities of my children ... horses, chorus, theatre, football, orchestra, movie-making, soccer.  As much as I miss those days, however, I am well content in this new-ish season.  I say "ish" because we only became empty-nesters last fall. I am still getting used to it, still figuring out what it looks like to be a mother-from-a-distance.  That distance is only physical, though - each of my six, and now their spouses and children -  are never far away in my thoughts, hopes, longings, and prayers.