Mom, Dad, and I took Kate to the airport this morning for her flight out to New York for school. The airport is an all-too familiar place to me for goodbyes. Isn't it strange how smells can bring a rush of emotions back to you in an instant? Well personally, the smell of Cinnabon and luggage along with the resounding "do not leave any baggage unattended..." message brought back a flood of feelings. While talking with my mom this morning it occured to me that eleven years ago I was a fourth grader telling my sister Sarah goodbye as she boarded a plane to the same school Kate is heading off to, Word of Life. Now obviously things were different then, we were allowed to take her all the way up to the gate and I remember every minute the lump in my throat grew bigger and bigger. I vividly remember sitting in my classroom the entire next day with that lump still stuck somewhere in my throat, just trying to hold back the tears. Eventually it all got easier, but this was the first painful "goodbye" that I can remember, and since that time I have had far too many. The interesting thing is I was the exact same age my neice Hailey is, and last night I sat in the other room listening to her teary goodbye to her Auntie Kate. This sweet fourth grade girl now had to say goodbye to her "older sister." Isn't it strange how life has come full cicle?
As painful as it was to see Kate walk up that dreaded escalator, I am so excited to see her what God has in store for her. I can't wait for her to come back in the fall with the bundle of stories I am sure she will be anxious to share. She is taking a big leap into the unknown and for that, I couldn't be more proud of by little sister! We love you Kate and miss you already!!
