Actually Farewell

What a weird feeling, to drive away from your house with your child, knowing that you're going to drop him off someplace and just leave him there. And not see him again for a long time. There is a lot about my life that I just can't remember very well, but getting dropped off at the MTC? I'll never forget that. I remember first going out to lunch with my brothers and parents. Peter had to work so he took off after lunch. Adam and my folks drove me to Provo, and I remember wishing someone would just konk me on the head, rendering me unconscious, leave me at the curb in a heap, and drive away. I knew I wanted to go on a mission, and I knew that I'd be fine once I got there. I just hated the leaving part. I'm sure Chase felt a little bit the same way.

Before heading out, there were some sweet goodbyes in the days before Chase left. On Sunday, we had Troy's mom over for dinner and hugging. Sweet Grandma shed some tears as she gave Chase a last hug on her front porch.

Another very tender goodbye was with the Moore family. Father Moore, aka Bishop Bryan (I mean father as in the father of his family, not a religious kind of father, but yes religious with the term Bishop) has been an incredibly influential person in Chase's life. Not only has Chase been friends with their boys since he was about 3 and spent countless hours at their home, Bryan really supported Chase in preparing for a mission. We love this family so much. We decided to go out to dinner the night before Chase left, and he really wanted the Moores to join us. We went all out and went for sushi, splurging on the all-you-can-eat menu at Sapa. It was so incredibly delicious.

The post-dinner hugs were also very sweet. Except for their youngest, who gave Chase a squeeze and then said, "Well...bye I guess." We got a good laugh out of that. They have a son who is nearing the end of his mission now. Those boys won't see each other for a long old time!

Wednesday morning we spent some time packing. Probably we should have done it before that morning but hey, it took up the time!

I think the hardest part for me (and this is going to sound dumb) was watching Chase say goodbye to his lizard, Omnom. Chase got the lizard at the beginning of middle school. You wouldn't think a lizard could be sweet, but they totally can. And they've been together for seven years! 

After that, there was nothing left to do but put all the stuff in the car and drive away.

We picked up the girls from school, Troy from work, and made one last stop for some lunch at Zao. I know Chase was starting to freak out a little, so I told him to just put on Jurassic Park on his phone for one last time. Works like a charm, every time. The soothing sounds of roaring and screaming. Troy started laughing when he got in the car and realized that the movie was playing for one last FINAL absolutely really last time. 

We had been told that any prolonged goodbyes with hugs and like should not happen at the MTC itself, and to make a stop beforehand for that kind of thing. This is definitely a change from when Troy and I served missions. We would actually go into the MTC with our families, and have a big devotional-type meeting with all the other incoming missionaries. We watched a tear-jerking portion of a movie about missions, then the big goodbye came, with much sobbing. I think the leaders finally realized that this was horrible and that the band-aid method (RIGHT OFF!!!!) was much less painful and traumatizing. 

It had been suggested that the Provo temple was a good place for hugs and photos. It was almost comical seeing how many other families were there, taking pictures and embracing and wiping their eyes. It was kind of fun to offer to take photos of families so that no one had to be the photographer and miss being in the picture. I'm sure I drove my family crazy by offering to do this for so many groups. Sorry! I loved it. The best was when this other mother took a photo of our family in return for us taking their picture. Afterwards she asked how I was doing. "Oh, okay," I replied shakily. "You?" She promptly burst into tears, grabbed me, (a total stranger,) into a bear hug and said, "Not good! This is horrible!" Oh sweet friend. Whoever you are, I hope you're doing ok!!

We got back in the car. No one was really teary. I think we were all kind of in shock. We drove through the MTC gates, where there were many smiling missionaries directing the incoming traffic. We got sent to a parking garage, where some more friendly helpers were there to get Chase's luggage, take one last photo of us, and lead him into the first steps of his next adventure. 

The rest of us got back in the car, and all four of us promptly started crying. For about 30 seconds. And then we just felt peace and excitement. Chase has wanted to do this for so long and it was so time for him to go. I know this is going to be hard for him and in some ways for us too. But I also know that is the most absolutely right thing he could be doing. I'm so proud and happy.