tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post8754056861912281315..comments2024-03-28T04:09:15.802-06:00Comments on Jen Gallacher: I'm Not Sure I'm Going to Make ItJen Gallacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-89666090544273806802015-05-21T07:44:44.458-06:002015-05-21T07:44:44.458-06:00My heart is breaking for you. I know you will miss...My heart is breaking for you. I know you will miss your beautiful daughter. My daughter will be leaving for college in a year and I know I'm going to miss her desperately. I will have more opportunities to see her than you will your daughter, so I know it's not quite the same, but I definitely understand a bit of how you feel.<br /><br />Can I share something else - a different perspective I've been thinking of lately? I have an older son on the autism spectrum. We don't when, or if, he will be able to move out and live one his own. It's made me realize what a blessing it is to be able to do that, to be able to watch our children grow and begin their adult lives independently. We will always be there for them (and I do hope my daughter will always live close by! :) ), but watching our children grow and leave us, after a fashion, is a good thing, and a blessing. I am in no way trying to minimize your pain and hope you take these words with the love and encouragement I intended.<br /><br />{{hugs}} to you.Rhondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08190647517131979687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-89336451737775943832015-05-20T10:26:36.927-06:002015-05-20T10:26:36.927-06:00Tracey, it's crazy how fast the time goes. Jus...Tracey, it's crazy how fast the time goes. Just today I was addressing Kate's graduation announcements. Amazing!Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-8447431360964759892015-05-20T10:26:09.297-06:002015-05-20T10:26:09.297-06:00Thanks, Diana! You are right. He is always here fo...Thanks, Diana! You are right. He is always here for us isn't He? :)Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-74462695333522600252015-05-02T17:37:38.652-06:002015-05-02T17:37:38.652-06:00You'll get through it as you do all of life...You'll get through it as you do all of life's other struggles - by simply getting through it. Your heart will ache but you will watch your child go out into the world and be the amazing person you have raised her to be and your heart will smile just a little under the pain of missing her. Hold onto that. <br /><br />My heart goes out to you. My daughter will be 9 this year so I know I have some time to wait before I have to watch her go but panic sets in at the mere thought of it just the same. It's how we Mommas are built. We give everything we have to our kids and want to hold them close forever but we must let them go. Let them spread their wings and fly. You can do it. You both can do it. And you'll be okay. Life's experiences prior to this have shown you that.Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09185059231731641107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-62991018230501315722015-04-30T14:56:18.085-06:002015-04-30T14:56:18.085-06:00Sending you a great big hug Jen!! My oldest just t...Sending you a great big hug Jen!! My oldest just turned 15 and I've been thinking about this for a while, before I know it, she will be planning "her" life without me, and I know it's life and I want to be a grandma, etc, I'm not ready and will not be ready for it, even when we know it will come, and we try to get ready for that moment.. we are not going to feel ready for it.. trust the Lord and ask Him for His guidance, His love and His mercy. He will be with both of you. Enjoy this time with her and treasure them until she returns, in the meantime we will be here to support you and to pray for you!! Diana Maldonadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04696777022232681958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-4673258029743141382015-04-27T18:29:54.219-06:002015-04-27T18:29:54.219-06:00Kids do seem to wrap their little fingers rather s...Kids do seem to wrap their little fingers rather securely around our hearts.Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-38668048614145350602015-04-27T16:27:02.125-06:002015-04-27T16:27:02.125-06:00I cannot even imagine how you feel right now. I wo...I cannot even imagine how you feel right now. I would be devestated if my little man left me. He is my heart. HugsNicole Martelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13566805335446660536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-48487588540213169382015-04-27T16:20:33.111-06:002015-04-27T16:20:33.111-06:00Thank you, Marci. Hope you know how much we love y...Thank you, Marci. Hope you know how much we love you!Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-81874647970758393482015-04-27T14:13:28.081-06:002015-04-27T14:13:28.081-06:00All I can say is I love you Jen. I have no doubt ...All I can say is I love you Jen. I have no doubt you and Katelyn will always be close no matter how far apart you are. My heart still can't wander too far down memory lane to think what you have experienced but it loves you very much. You are amazingly strong, graceful, and beautiful inside and out.<br /><br />Love, Me<br /><br />Btw, your picture is GORGEOUS. Marcihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00931555082136591747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-44929100116692745922015-04-27T13:56:25.510-06:002015-04-27T13:56:25.510-06:00Thank you, Becky! That means a lot coming from som...Thank you, Becky! That means a lot coming from someone as good and wonderful as you. :)Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-64535888331992858552015-04-27T13:44:00.969-06:002015-04-27T13:44:00.969-06:00Just wanted to say I love your heart. Thinking of ...Just wanted to say I love your heart. Thinking of you friend!beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168619772176914609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-12897114768231264922015-04-27T13:42:40.590-06:002015-04-27T13:42:40.590-06:00It's amazing how quickly the time does go, Noe...It's amazing how quickly the time does go, Noell. I'm kind of blown away by the fact that she's not a toddler in diapers any more. :(Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-75020615995676309192015-04-27T11:23:58.377-06:002015-04-27T11:23:58.377-06:00Big hugs, Jen!! I have a lot of family and friends...Big hugs, Jen!! I have a lot of family and friends who are LDS and this is something I think about all the time -- the emotions that the parents must struggle between when they send their kids off. I cannot even imagine it. And I can also understand why it would weigh on you in particular because of your son's passing.<br /><br />Izzy and I get emotional a lot in movies or TV shows where the child goes off to college because we know that day is coming. We're not as close as you to that day, nor is that nearly as drastic because we can visit him and he'll come home for holidays, so my heart is definitely going out to you. It's going to be tough. <3Noell Hymanhttp://www.paperclipping.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-65125099066567950392015-04-27T11:04:06.881-06:002015-04-27T11:04:06.881-06:00Oh my goodness, Pam. I can't even imagine. How...Oh my goodness, Pam. I can't even imagine. How hard that must have been for you. Thank you for the hugs and for sharing more of your story with me!Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-64904581733395228142015-04-27T10:52:24.616-06:002015-04-27T10:52:24.616-06:00I left my daughter at the airport in 2005. She was...I left my daughter at the airport in 2005. She was moving to Australia to be closer to her boyfriend. My husband convinced me she was too strong-willed for their relationship to last. Weeks later they were married and we didn't get to be there for the wedding - no passports and no money for the flights. Our son took a promotion taking him to WA. I stay focused on looking forward to the next time we see them and their families. You're an amazing mom or she wouldn't have what it takes to face this new part of her life. Start planning her welcome home celebration. Hugs to you.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11316584348759498259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-72631595924396204952015-04-27T10:49:47.147-06:002015-04-27T10:49:47.147-06:00Oh Leslee, out-of-state college. That is SO far aw...Oh Leslee, out-of-state college. That is SO far away. :(Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-54183572600186682292015-04-27T10:49:19.635-06:002015-04-27T10:49:19.635-06:00Ruth I am VERY much the same way. It's just to...Ruth I am VERY much the same way. It's just too painful.Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-88583844990662057472015-04-27T10:29:01.465-06:002015-04-27T10:29:01.465-06:00It is so hard! My daughter left out of state for ...It is so hard! My daughter left out of state for college back in 2008 and it is just recently I have been able to leave her without shedding a million tears! That is 6 years! Hugs to you! It does not get easier if you have done a good job!Lesleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01371429816982627054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-56871783982994380252015-04-27T10:23:40.615-06:002015-04-27T10:23:40.615-06:00I admire you so much, Laurie, for the courage you ...I admire you so much, Laurie, for the courage you gave your special needs daughter to live on her own. Strive for that courage. Thank you for sharing more of your story with me!Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-58462941829432251022015-04-27T09:54:19.918-06:002015-04-27T09:54:19.918-06:00I can't say good-bye, either. It makes me cry ...I can't say good-bye, either. It makes me cry just thinking about it. It's just not something I can do without making a scene. I avoid funerals, even for those I didn't personally know, because the whole idea of good-bye is so emotional for me. All I can do is pray for you and know that some grieving ahead of time can help with the moment that will come, even if we don't want it to. Take care and thank you for sharing.Ruth Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18048373601565690669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-14481391218220552292015-04-27T09:21:31.989-06:002015-04-27T09:21:31.989-06:00Here IF you need me. :-) Here IF you need me. :-) Laurie Johnsonhttp://www.4elementscoaching.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-49713526246583974312015-04-27T09:07:04.047-06:002015-04-27T09:07:04.047-06:00I could relate to your post as well, having releas...I could relate to your post as well, having released three children into the world as adults at various times. I think the best thing I can say is you have to take it one moment and one step at a time, listening to what your soul is telling you to do. And be gentle with yourself. It's lovely that you already recognize how deeply this is affecting you rather than pushing it down and ignoring it. My special-needs daughter left home to live in her own apartment in May of one year and my son went to college that Fall. I had to keep reminding myself that most people don't have to deal with two children leaving at one time and it was okay to be extremely sad about this. Give yourself permission to grieve AND to do what you need to do in order to heal. And thanks for being so brave and vulnerable with your post today. Here is you need me. Laurie Johnsonhttp://www.4elementscoaching.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-18486754682319902852015-04-27T08:30:12.889-06:002015-04-27T08:30:12.889-06:00Yep, it is. But it will be ok. I have a lot a frie...Yep, it is. But it will be ok. I have a lot a friends with toddlers and they say when they leave kids for the first time in kindergarten it's heartbreaking. Just maybe think about it as a bi-iig kindergarten kind of thing:) You'll miss her, she'll miss you, but she'll learn a lot and live a lot and in the end you'll see her and she'll have so many stories to share.Стоклиhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11028936480977064395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-50732536304860637582015-04-27T07:37:10.808-06:002015-04-27T07:37:10.808-06:00Your daughter has accomplished so much. No wonder ...Your daughter has accomplished so much. No wonder you're so proud of her. I'm sure that helps letting her go knowing she is doing such great things. :)Jen Gallacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05452006234817305845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30876563.post-53696391490877107322015-04-27T07:23:14.183-06:002015-04-27T07:23:14.183-06:00Jen I hear you here on so many levels. My younges...Jen I hear you here on so many levels. My youngest daughter and I were so close with her dance - spent almost every single evening at dance practice and weekends at competitions - she was and is the closest of my children to me for this simple reason. She graduated from college (first time) early and took off at 21 to LA to spend a year dancing. Leaving her there almost broke my heart but I knew I had to let her fly and start her own life. She's back now and just graduated from a BSN nursing program and we went down to her graduation. It still breaks my heart every time I leave her - will always hold our times together as precious moments. Hugs - its a growing process for both you and your daughter - all you can do is support her and let her know how much you love her. It's isn't easy for sure! But you have to be proud of yourself for what a wonderful person you have raised! Not everyone is so lucky!dstandardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00898312680711954486noreply@blogger.com