Parking spaces and emtpy places.

I had a conversation with a dear friend the other day. She had just taken her daughter to college. I asked her how that had gone. She explained she did great moving her into the dorm, getting all the stuff ready to move out, and even the trip home did not bother her too much.Their family quickly got back into the routine with their other teenager at home and schedules kicking into gear. Then she paused. I heard her voice change. It became softer, lower, more definite. It wasn't until she pulled into the driveway, one night late, forgetting, she looked for her daughter's car to avoid it as she pulled in. It wasn't in the spot. It wasn't until that moment that it hurt. She said she laid her head on the steering wheel and cried. The spot. The driveway. I felt her mother-hurt. I understood what she was talking about as my son already parks in the same spot each night after football practice or whatever he returns from. Isn't it funny what triggers our love for children? Isn't wonderful that she loves her daughter so much that she noticed her parking spot and it mattered. Now for the aloof, distant, too busy, or just don't care parent, this blog may be too much for you. OR it may be just what you need to hear. Let your kids know that you look for them to come home, you wait with open arms, love and interest. Tell them. Show them. One day the car will pull out for that final time. Future visits will not be to stay. Make sure, make really sure, they know they have a spot on the drive and a parking garage in your heart.