Saying Goodbye, Even For A Short While, Isn't Easy

Yesterday we took our Lindsay to the airport and watched her as she walked away to get on the plane that would take her to her new home in Bristol, England. It is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.
There are so many things about Lindsay that I could say. She is passionate, lively, someone who sparkles and lights up the room when she walks in. She is loving, sensitive, charming, and tenacious. I've watched her grow up -- physically, emotionally, spiritually -- into a maturity that,as her father, makes me very proud. The last few days together were very sweet. We went to Triple Creek Ranch to be together as a family. At first it was just Linda, Lindsay and Andy along with myself. Watching Lindsay and Andy together is a real treat. Andy has grown up so much over the last couple of years. Soon he will join Lindsay in England -- for just a year -- and we will have two of our four children over there. Chris and Sarah along with Kelly and Greg joined us on Friday afternoon. We played games together and had a wonderful time to walk, eat, and just have fun.
After getting back home the time of preparation for leaving got things busy. Yet, we had time to go to Andy's restaurant on Monday evening where Andy served Linda, Lindsay, Chris and Sarah, along with myself our last meal together. Lindsay, Linda and I journeyed down to Ohare on Tuesday. We had some time to sit outside the airport hotel and play a game or two. Kelly and Greg came and we all went to the International terminal. There, a surprise -- Derek and Pauline Watts showed up to say goodbye to Lindsay. It was a bittersweet time that followed. It's hard to hug your daughter and know that she isn't coming back anytime soon. That she may never come back makes it even harder. Oh, I'll savor every opportunity for emails, phone calls, internet webcams, and even better face to face holidays; but it will never be what it was and that is a difficult pill to swallow.
Still, it is for this reason -- that our children grow up, love, live, and discover new lives -- that we as parents give them over to new adventures.
Lindsay, we love you...I love you...and miss you already. Have fun, Love God, Peter, and Us/Me...even if from a distance.