CafeSharon

Twenty-four years ago, God gave to Paul and me a precious gift, Natasha.  This past Thursday, she graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.  She is the MOST determined young woman I have ever met.  She has taught me so much about perseverance.  She is incredible when she puts her mind to something! 

Graduation was more than I could have ever expected.  I knew that I would cry, and I did.  I knew I would be excited, and I was.  I knew that I pride would make me want to “burst a button”, and it did!  But also, I am finding myself anticipating the wonderful journey that God is taking Tasha.  He has great plans for her.  Not just plans for the future, but plans for right now.  Watch out world, HERE SHE COMES!  NOTHING will stop her! 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”    Romans 8:38, 39

My baby, Natasha, turned 24 today!  Because she is in her final semester of college, we can’t be with her today.  So, sweety, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today we are leaving for Lancaster, PA for the wedding of my nephew, Todd, and his fiancée, Alisha.  I know it will be a lot of fun and a bit bittersweet, especially for my sister, Kathie.  Todd is Kathie’s “baby”.  He is the last one to “fly the coup”.  I think she is going through the “empty nest” (even though she still has my mother, 87, and aunt, 91, to care for!)   

For the past few days I have been thinking about this “moving on process”.  When my kids and my nieces and nephews were little, I loved it.  They were all so much fun!  And getting together was a blast!  You never knew what would happen.  We just knew that SOMETHING was going to happen.  Often I have felt like I would like to go back to that time.  It was GOOD.  But the other day I realized, I love being a mother and aunt to 20-somethings!  I look forward to getting together with them – and having adult conversations!  They have grown into wonderful, responsible adults.  Didn’t I do a good job at “aunting”? 

BTW – Congratulations Todd and Alisha!