After that, I hit the sack and was out fast. But woke up at 6:10 this morning...just like clockwork. Texas time. Went for a run to test out my rested Achilles and did a slow 3 miles. Yep it was sore....so sick of this. Just gonna have to ice and stretch this thing during our vacation and keep the runs to short ones. I have to be ready for the 8K in a week. Glad I only signed up for that instead of the half marathon....however the Dismal Swamp half is only five weeks away. Got to get this thing cured.
After the run we had breakfast in the lobby with the Young's continuing on our " getting to know each other" conversations.
Rest and relaxation is good, even if I have to force myself to take it.
So after a few housekeeping duties we headed over to the campus to a meeting for parents of the newly returned AIM students. It was all about how we can support the kids when they return from such a dramatic environment. Many have been in countries where the financial and economic climate were so bad that many of the people they knew went hungry or were politically repressed. Coming back home from that to a land where we have so much....and waste so much....and care so little is troubling. It is a re-entry process. Having been away for 18 months and returning to friends who don't really care, don't have time, don't want anything else but the Cliff note version of their experiences. That is difficult. It was a good talk and we all contributed how us as parents have dealt with their absence and return.
Afterwards we visited a neat little place called The Crafthouse & Gastropub. Some unique beers on tap and nasty little snacks to hold us over until the evening meal. If you ever make it to Lubbock, not that it is the great Mecca for tourism, visit this little retreat.
The graduation and meal was pretty amazing. There were over 700 people that were people there in attendance. Some this class, some past classes, some assistants, instructors, sponsors new Aimers and all the parents and families. A really good turn out. Some fun little discussions and then the graduates. Each walked up from their individual mission fields. About 40 in all. For many this was the end of their journey, for others it was just a short stop along the way. An emotional event for many.
At the conclusion, what we had been waiting for, our son had asked to speak to the assembly. He eagerly jumped to the podium, made a few thank you's and then said that he wasn't there for that today. He reached under the podium, grabbed something we couldn't tell but had an idea. And with microphone in hand to jumps off the stage and ran over to his beautiful girlfriend. Her smile was beaming across her face. His words went something like this:
"In front of all these people, our friends, our families and a whole bunch of people I don't even know who they are." Then he got down on one knee, open up the little box and asked, "Would you be my wife?"
Still smiling and probably speechless, she nodded yes and he slipped the ring on her finger. The audience erupted in cheers and clapping. A pretty exciting moment. Our son succeeded in showing his love in a big way. And with that, my wife and I knew we were now completely empty nestors. Our little boy was no longer a little boy....but we already knew that.
After all the congratulations and meetings and greetings, the two love birds took us leaving us parents behind. So all four of us went to celebrate ourselves at a place called Manna Bread and Wine. Great eclectic hoe in the wall spot that will be another favorite spot for dinner on one of our return visits. More great chatting and finally an end to a long day.
Achilles hurts, I am tired and tomorrow the time changes. He plan on hitting the road to Dallas after church and lunch.
With that, we ended our second day of March Madness.
Enjoy my friends....your kids grow up fast.
Et this I believe
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