I had a late flight out of Midway, so Abby and I were able to spend a chunk of the day together before I had to leave. We visited another Mother Ship and bought toothpaste and tissues at Dollar General and had Culver's for lunch (again; oh, those delicious pretzel bites and frozen custard do so love my thighs) and took a walk around her decidedly beautiful campus. And then I sat in her desk chair and silently watched as she meticulously organized her dorm room and then laid across her bed, surrounded by a menagerie of comforting pillows and friendly stuffed animals. And we talked.
When the hour arrived she walked me down to the rental car and I gave her a big hug and when I stepped back she was crying. I was too; in fact, I sobbed as I drove away. She stood on the sidewalk and I watched her get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror until I turned the corner and she completely disappeared from sight.
Separation is hard. But I am so grateful to know that she has a terrific group of friends who love and care for her and who can be physically present for her when I cannot. That girl of mine is growing into an amazing adult human, and I am so proud and thankful.
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