I can’t remember the last time I was alone in this house. It feels both peaceful and…strange. I mean, I certainly like it, but there are so many things that have been waiting for this moment it is difficult to determine what to do first.
People very frequently ask me what I do all day when the kids are gone to school. Always, this is a person with only two children. I don’t know how to explain to these people what an overwhelming amount of work is continually waiting for me, so I generally stare at them for a moment and then mumble, “Oh, I manage to find things…”
And for the next few hours I will find things- boring things like laundry, cooking, and generally reigning in the chaos. I will do those things that no one appreciates unless they are undone. While I do these mundane essentials, I’ll pray.
I’ll pray for a lot of people, but I’m guessing I will spend most of those precious moments praying for my oldest son who is at his high school orientation entering for the first time the complex maze of freshman social interactions. I remember all too well my first day of my freshman year. I didn’t know it then, but it opened was the door to what would be the most desperate, dangerous year of my life. I was so full of hope that day, just like he is today. I can’t remember if I knew when the last bell rang that I was in for trouble, but it found me soon enough. Oh, how I want it to be better for him.
So, I bought the t-shirt, joined the PTO, and wrote my check to buy the pass that will allow him to go to any game, anytime, all year. I did what I could.
For now, all that’s left is to pray…
