Thursday, January 30, 2014

At The Foot of the Bridge

Both of our boys are their own unique person. While they have many similarities, they also have many distinct differences. And while we live in a school environment that clearly points to college in a pragmatic and homogenous fashion, both of the boys have approached the fork in the road quite differently.

We sat back and watched as Philip began his junior year and we were full of ideas and wonder as he processed his thoughts and sought clear direction - from everyone but his parents. :-) By the spring of his junior year, he was ready to officially begin the college hunt. God providentially set up for us a visit to Bryan College in Dayton, TN, along with some dear friends of ours who also had a junior that was beginning the college hunt.

It was a tender time for our hearts. It was a true gift that we were able to shadow our friends on our first legitimate college preview visit. They, having a son already in college and ahead of our sons on the curve, have always been so faithful to share ideas and thoughts and information with us over the span of more than a decade. For me to be able to begin this hard mom journey in the presence of my dear heart friend was just truly an amazing gift. 

We flew into Knoxville and then the following morning, a band of eight of us took off in two cars to Dayton. We traversed the campus and the emotion of the event was ever at the back of my throat. Being in a posse with seven others was ever so helpful as - in the company of 6 males - you could be easily diverted by a silliness, a joke, a witty comment, or just the sheer exercise of keeping up with everyone.

After our whirlwind Friday/Saturday trip to not only Bryan College, but also to Covenant College on Lookout Mountain in Georgia, we landed at the foot of the old bridge in Chattanooga. Having consumed Urban Stack burgers, Darling Donuts and all of the information and statistics from the two college campus visits, we were ready for a little fun.

The guys had a football with them and began an immediate passing game. The two of us girls sat and watched and laughed and were amazed at the young men cavorting in front of us, where boys in super hero capes had once stood. Just as dusk settled in, we paused for a moment in our family clusters and took turns photographing our families for each other.

The old metal bridge and lights in the background offer up a message to my heart - as we stood at the bridge of our son's life, of him beginning his journey into adulthood, we gathered close, hugged tight and knew in our hearts that the Light would be the only way we would bear the crossing of the bridge. 

Life of late has been a whirlwind. We are halfway into the kid at college scene now, with one child there and one child at home. Our oldest is in the middle of pledging at college. I have not had Face Time with him in four weeks. Our youngest is in the middle of waiting on scholarship information for college and reveling in his senior year, his job, his church work, his friends. 

When I went to title this layout, I did not have to search long or hard for an apt and fitting title. At this time in our life, any time that the four of us are together it is time that is so very treasured.

So Very Treasured ~ Family Trip, Chattanooga ~ April 2012



Paper: Pebbles
Fonts: Honey Script, Chaparral Pro

16 comments:

  1. I simply do not know which is more gorgeous....your writing, your layout, or that beautiful smile of yours in the top photos. Just too, too awesome Penny. You know I am a HUGE FAN of your writing, your words and your scrap work, but when you place on 3 together, it is such a TREAT for all. You have a beautiful family and one that I pray I get to actually meet one day. Big hugs and thank you for sharing another glimpse into your life and work. And this goes without saying- that layout just went into my FAV folder. LOVE-LOVE it! Smiles ~ Janet

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  2. And now I wonder where my comment went....

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  3. WOW... what treasured moments you capture so beautifully with your photos, your journaling, and your artistry with assembling layouts...you have quite a gift!! If I could scrap HALF as well as that I'd be more than thrilled..(and may even attempt again, because your work IS inspirational! ) what wonderful treasures your boys have!!... Beautifully done... LOVE it!!

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  4. Wonderful layout, love everything on it !

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  5. Loving the stories behind your layouts, Penny! Your words and your layouts are amazing!

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  6. Oh Penny! Love, love, LOVE this!

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  7. Penny, you have captured your families moment perfectly, both in your layout and with your words. You have such a great talent for expressing both beautifully!

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  8. You have such a knack at putting together patterns of paper that I would never think could look good together. Beautiful layout - as always!

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  9. Penny what profound words and thoughts, I am moved by each lo you post and knowing you personally is just the cherry on top. You have done a wonderful job raising your sons to be AWESOME men, I look up to you and only hope I can do as well.

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  10. Again, how beautifully you write and express your feelings. And what a wonderful job you do with your layouts. Loved reading your post and seeing your layout.

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  11. Amazing Penny! You are an inspiration to me!

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  12. Awesome layout! And LOVE your handwriting. What a beautiful family you have!

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  13. oh my goodness Penny... just love how layout and your writing is so beautiful felt.. thanks so much for sharing.

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  14. What a beautiful layout, Penny! I am a bit out of the loop and had no idea you blogged. I love the journalling the most in this layout - perhaps because I can so relate to those feelings with our girls. Wanting to hold onto every last treasured moment of having them with us yet fully enjoying the wonderful adults they are becoming (by God's Grace!)

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  15. Great layout! I love how much product you got on there, yet it doesn't feel cluttered at all and the photos shine.

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  16. Beautiful layout, Penny. Love the story behind it, also. You have a gift with words :)

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