Three days.

I took the past three days–the last three days–off of work so I could spend time with my Luke before he leaves. Shane and the rest of the kids are in school. I told Luke we could do whatever he wanted. I let him know if he wanted to spend time with friends that was OK, too. I was just going to clear my schedule and be there for him.

We shopped. We went to lunch with my mom. We ate breakfast together. We saw a couple of movies. We wasted some time in the Social Security office (do not get me started). We both watched in amazement as threads from both our pasts–a friend and former co-worker of mine and a dearly loved Primary teacher of Luke’s to name a few–wove their ways back into our lives at just the opportune moments to say hello and good-bye.

Today we are going to the temple one more time.

We did get a lot done. We talked and we laughed together. And thanks to the thoughts and prayers of dear friends (you know who you are and I thank you all) I’ve been able to keep the tears to a minimum. I think I managed to keep the nagging about the thank-you notes to a minimum, too (and now I’m letting it go–I could tell from those he did write that he gets it. And with this little time left it’s not worth damaging the relationship to go on about something over which I have no control).

Looking back over the past 19 years with a critical eye I realize there are, of course, a few (probably many) should-have-dones and would-have-done-differentlies.

Looking back over the past three days I wouldn’t change a thing.

I love you Luke. You are a good soul. I’m proud of you. I will miss you something fierce. But this is a wonderful thing. Your service will make the world a better place.

God speed.

Love,

Mom