Goodbyes

One of our Disneyworld trips.  I believe it was 2008.  Marcus LOVES traveling with our kids!

As I pull out my calendar to look at last year, this day breaks my heart.  This is the last day Parker and Marcus would see Ethan as he was--Sunday, March 13, 2011.  Marcus had to drive the truck for his company to New York.  We had decided since it was Parker's Spring Break and he was 10 years old, he got to go with his dad on this across-the-country trip.  This is the day they left.  We had scheduled Ethan's day out with dad the day before because he was heartbroken that he couldn't go on this trip with daddy.  We promised Ethan when he was 10 he would get a turn. After church it was time to say goodbye and get Daddy and Parker in the truck.  I remember it was in the living room.  Parker and Marcus were standing there with their stuff and ready to walk out.  Ethan started to cry.  Madilyn started to cry.  I was crying because my kids were (and I was a bit nervous sending them both out).  We said a prayer together and then all said goodbye.  Marcus and Parker were tearing up too.  Everybody was crying, but we got through the goodbyes and they were off.  Ethan was so sad he just curled up on my lap and cried.  I was feeling for him, so I gave in on my Sunday rule and let him play video games.  I never do this, but I felt terrible that he was so sad and wanted to give him something to make him happy.  He didn't look back.  He ran for the video games and had a great day!

After Ethan died, my sister and my sister-in-law both reminded me I had called them that day.  I called them both, laughing at this experience of saying goodbye.  I told them that "Parker and Ethan said goodbye like they were never going to see each other again."  I really poked fun at the situation because it was quite more emotional than normal.  Little did I know, it WAS the last goodbye face to face.

How sad I am thinking about his, but how happy I am that we, as a family, had this special moment where we could tell each other we loved each other and that we would all be together again. We will.  It obviously isn't going to be as soon as we thought.  But, we will all be together again someday!