settling dust

Jesse left early this morning, a symbolic end to the graduation festivities we have enjoyed the past couple of weeks. The many graduation cards adorning the living room will be tucked away in a pretty shoe box. The “shrine” Hannah prepared in the dining room, showcasing her awards, pictures, and diplomas will reluctantly be dismantled and put away. And Hannah will get down to the business at hand: being an adult. She is reluctant to be in Relief Society, although our ward does a marvelous job of transitioning. She may help Jackie in the nursery for a little while. There is summer employment to be secured (she has a good lead) and the very important job of finding housing for school in the fall. Registration will follow and then the grand adventure of college life will begin.

People tell me it will be hard for me to let her go. I admit that it will be strange to have only Isaac left for company. I hope I don’t smother him. I know we both will miss Hannah terribly, but things are different nowadays, we are always only a phone call away. Two of her brothers will be close at hand and two of my brothers are there as well. She will have her own transportation and she is familiar with the campus. She already has a promise of a job; the housing dilemma is her only unknown. So although we will miss her, it really isn’t hard for me to let her go, because she is smart, capable, and I know she is ready.