SAYING GOODBYE

This week, my brother Ryan leaves for a two year mission in Bolivia. Yesterday was the last day I'll see him for two whole years. He'll miss the Boy's birth by a couple of weeks, and won't meet him until he's walking and talking!

When I left for college four years ago, my mom and I had to catch an early flight, so the whole family was sleeping when I left. I peeked my head in to each of my siblings' rooms and said goodbye to them. My sister grumbled and went back to sleep. My youngest brother woke up with us to say goodbye, but mostly just stood by quietly while we packed the car. When I looked in on Ryan, I told him I was leaving, and he looked up from his pillow and said, "Bye, Tess, I love you." He sat up in bed and the door closed between us.

I knew all my siblings loved me, but for some reason, saying goodbye to Ryan hit me the hardest. He said "I love you" and my other siblings didn't. He looked at me like he would actually be sad that I was gone, where my sister mostly wanted me to let her go back to sleep. Last night, I sort of re-lived that experience, only instead of going away to college for three months, we're parting for two years. He's missing a birth. He might miss a wedding. He's missing a graduation. We're missing him. But the work he's going to do is amazing and hard and worth it.

He'll be a great missionary. He's got tons of energy and enthusiasm. The people of Bolivia will be blessed to have him. Here's to two years going by fast!