Tags
adventure, apartment, excitement, flights, French Bulldog, happy, mother's heart, nervous, new experiences., nursing, organ procurement, scared, young woman
Seven years ago we took our youngest daughter to college about three hours away. Our other two daughters had stayed in town for college. We helped Katie unload her things into her dorm room. We hung around until we knew it was time to let go. We had promised her that we wouldn’t cry, so we gave her silent hugs.
Katie has the most beautiful green eyes. When she was a child, I would see tears pool around the bottom of her eyes before she would cry. After our hugs, she took my face in her hands and said, “Mom, this is the hardest thing I have ever done.” Those green eyes were pooling with tears. I hugged her again, and left the room. I did not cry until I was in the stairwell.
We adjusted to the new situation. Katie was hired at at a hospital in Indianapolis, and she has lived there since.
Katie likes a challenge. She took work right away in the ICU doing a night shift. It has been pretty easy for us to connect with each other, as she has lived only two hours away. Katie loves my big, crazy family, and she would drive down for almost any family gathering.
Katie called me a few weeks ago and told me that she had been offered a job in Denver, Colorado with Donor Alliance in organ procurement. I was listening to the job description, that they would pay Katie to fly out for the the interview, and that they would pay moving expenses if she accepted the position. Katie has wanted to do this for a long time.
Things moved quickly. Katie and I flew out for two apartment hunting days. I was honored that she chose me to come out. Real estate is expensive and there are not many apartments to choose from. Katie found a cute apartment in an old building close to her work. She loves urban living.
It became a whirlwind. Katie packed and had her things sent ahead. She loaded her SUV with everything else, including Molly (Molly and the Dog Bakery) and a friend who wanted to go to Denver. She drove over 1,000 miles in two days. She texted us when she had safely arrived.
Today she texted that there is an IKEA only twenty minutes from her house! She was headed out to find some furniture. She will start work this coming week.
Katie will have a wonderful experience in this job. She will watch the computer for donor matches. When there is a donor from Colorado or part of Wyoming, she will go in an ambulance and bring the donor’s body back to their center, where the transplants take place. If the donor is too far away, the recipient has to be flown to the donor site. She is responsible for biopsying the organs to check for any cancer or defect that would make the organ a bad choice for a transplant.
This is such a great opportunity for Katie. She has managed this long-distance move on her own. Katie loves adventure, and she will be able to kayak, hike, snow ski, with many other exciting things to do.
I am so proud of Katie, and amazed at how she can make difficult situations look almost easy.
But within the heart of this mother I am saying, “This is one of the hardest things I have ever done.”
gpcox said:
All the best to Katie!! And your photo is magnificent!
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Jan Veal said:
Thanks for the words of encouragement for Katie. The Rocky Mountains are so incredible!
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Betty Owens said:
Memories flooded my mind as I read this. I’ve been in that place and my heart goes out to you. She sounds like an amazing young woman. You’ll have beautiful visits. There’s so much to do and see there. In the meantime, you have to learn to be away from her and trust God for her safety. Just another mountain to climb.
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Jan Veal said:
Moms share so many similar changes in their lives.
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Anne Hurtgen Jones said:
You have no choice but to let them go. Evelyn has been in Tx then CA for about 5 yrs and Ellen in CA for nearly two years. Yes, this has been the hardest thing I have ever done!!! What I’ve learned in these last 5 years has been that I must adapt! I must make the change! I must make the choice to be happy for them and with them every day or I will live and die in a dark corner crying. Skyping does help enormously, especially now that new grandbaby Lily is out there! 😉 it’s so cute, Lily looks into the computer screen and smiles at us! Am hoping to go out there the first week in June. Praying Dennis is well enough to leave so I can visit Ev, Lily and Ellen!
God bless Katie in her new job and in her new home! I pray she finds a good church home and friends to support her well in this new time of her life!
Praise the Lord for low airfare to Denver! ✈️ 🗻
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Jan Veal said:
I have thought lots about you and your girls as I was going through this time with Katie. I hope you get to see that grandbaby soon! I am looking forward to trying some new things.
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Jan Veal said:
You are so right!
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Suzie Muthler Thompson said:
Good for Katie! Doing something that she loves. Love your writing, Jan. You are truly gifted.
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Jan Veal said:
Thanks so much for complimenting my writing. That means a lot to me!
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JoAnn said:
Letting go is so difficult. When I left you the day we took you to college for the first time, I could hardly breathe. I cried all the way home. As Katie’s grandma I had a little of the same feeling when I told her goodbye. I know she is a good nurse and a very independent girl and she will do just fine, but we will miss her. This is such a great experience for her and Colorado is a beautiful place for her to enjoy doing all the things she loves to do. You did a great job teaching and preparing your girls for their future. Hats off to you!!
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Jan Veal said:
I still remember going away to school that day. Katie will be fine. Thanks for commenting on my parenting!
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craftysoulstogether said:
I really dread this day of saying goodbye. Your words help to prepare me.
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Jan Veal said:
That is what we raise them to do, but it doesn’t make it any easier. After we let go, most Moms adjust. But it takes time and finding something new to do. Best Wishes!!!
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Corina said:
What a wonderful opportunity for Katie. However, I do understand how difficult it is to have them so far away. My son is currently in Japan. That is a whole day’s flight away from me in Oregon. He’ll be home to Seattle at the end of June. I am counting the days. This time around that he’s been gone (for work) has been very difficult as I became quite ill and ended up having to have surgery and I would have loved to have him home, nearby for that. And then my dad died a week ago and I needed my son but he’s so far away. So yes, I know how difficult it is to let our birdies go. Hang in there.
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Jan Veal said:
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I know that must be difficult. And I understand the importance of having family to be there for surgery and recovery. I am so glad you will see your son soon. I would be counting the days, too! Thanks for commenting.
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