Tuesday, April 20, 2010

His Mother's Son

We pulled away from our empty house yesterday, boxes all packed, moving truck gone and on its way to our new home in North Carolina, and drove towards the hotel where we're spending our last few days here.

I felt strangely full and simultaneously empty as we pulled out of our driveway and rounded the river that runs through our town.

A few minutes later, we made it to "the main drag". You know, the street that runs through the center of town and kind of just has everything - hotels, restaurants, shopping. In Baltimore, it's called York Road. In Morgantown, where I grew up, it's High Street. And, here in Grand Rapids, it's called 28th Street.

"I'm really gonna miss our Target", I said out loud, not meaning to really speak audibly, but just silently reminiscing about the hundreds of times me and my boys have strolled through there together.

"I'm gonna miss the car wash, Momma", my five-year old, Jack, chimed in as we passed the best invention since puff pastry - the drive-thru oil change/car wash place that is a mother of three's best friend during long, cold, Michigan winters.

I felt the tears begin to well up, again.

Then, he continued.

"Buuuut, do you know who's in North Carolina?"

(Oh, yes! Let's think on that. Aunt Anna, Uncle Zak, Nathan, Isaac. One word: FAMILY!)

"Who, buddy?", I knowingly responded.

Without hesitation, he answered, "My best friend Chick-fil-A."

I burst into laughter.

Oh, my sweet boy. You are so your mother's son.

21 comments:

  1. What a kid! That's just the humor you needed as you drove off!

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  2. Hilarious story! Hope you all have a safe trip.

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  3. Love him! And a handspun milkshake makes everything just a little better!

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  4. Oh Sarah. I am sorry to see you go but you will be with family and that means a lot. Have a safe trip and many blessings in your new home. :) PS - I love Chick-Fil-A too

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  5. I just love that about kids - they have that knack to get you laughing when you're down.

    Have a safe trip!!

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  6. ha-ha... I Love it!!! Hope your week of goodbyes goes well... i know it will be hard... think of that number 1 with a large sweet tea waiting for you down in Raleigh!!

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  7. happy travels. i'm sure the boys will keep you plenty distracted on your way south...

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  8. I love Chick-fil-a! I am so fortunate that one opened up just 1mile from my in Delawarehouse back in 2008. Believe me, my mom and I watched them build that place brick by brick and we were in line many, many days during the first week it was opened.

    I know you'll love North Carolina.

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  9. There is something seriously wrong with Michigan with not having one single Chick-Fil-A. Glad Jack gave you a laugh when you needed one!

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  10. We moved here 6 years ago for the same reason - to be closer to family. Good luck to you as you move closer to yours, and I'm so glad I got the chance to meet you last year before you moved!

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  11. Oh Sarah, Dave and I both laughed right our loud at this! You will always think of it as you remember this season in your life.

    My heart is sad and I'm wondering how we didn't get to say goodbye.

    Thank you my friend for sharing a bit of your life in Michigan with us.

    :'(

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  12. How can you NOT love that chicken and those yummy milk shakes?!? Adeline can "read" Chic-Fil-A. She would be happy if we ate there every day. Their kids prizes right now are Veggie Tales DVD's. Seriously!

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  13. I guess I need to stop by Chic-Fil-A for some Dvds!! Glad your son could provide some humor (and positive thoughts) as you headed out of town.

    At least your house vacating didn't end like ours last year. Jumpstarting our minivan in the driveway after handing over the keys to the new owners (w/ their realtor right there). (And as we're trying to pack every last minute item into our already overflowing van!) Now it seems humorous but at the time NOT so much. :) Hope you have a quick adjustment time and LOVE your new place and city!

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  14. How sweet! Leave it to our own kids to remind us of God's (delicious) promises for the future!

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  15. How funny!!! It was going along so serious then bam...out of the mouth of babes. Children seldom look back and are always looking forward with great anticipation. We as children of God should be more like them.

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  16. I IMed you the other night to see if you wanted to get some Chick-fil-a one day this week! Lemme know if you're in. It doesn't have to be this week, either.

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  17. I IMed you the other night to see if you wanted to get some Chick-fil-a one day this week! Lemme know if you're in. It doesn't have to be this week, either.

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  18. awesome. doesn't God do a great job of putting words into little boys mouths that make us feel so much better sometimes? God bless you all during you move down south!

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  19. Did you know Aurora is getting a Chick Fil-A? Yup...it's in the process of being built...should be in full swing after a couple years...you know, when you start looking to move back to the midwest. ;)

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  20. Just think...you'll get to introduce the boys to Krispy Kreme, too.

    Welcome back to the East Coast.

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