Going, going. . .

Gone.

That's what my oldest son will be in two weeks. Just two short weeks from today, he goes to college. We move him into the dorm on August 18. Somehow, it's easier to think of moving him into the dorm rather than out of the house.

But the truth is that he's leaving.

I always wanted to be an at-home mom. I worked in the business world, full-time, until the day before he was born. Since then, I've been a work-at-home mom. Sometimes I've worked at home for pay; sometimes I've just been at home working. But I've had the incredible privilege of being able to identify my profession as "homemaker." I don't know how many forms I've filled out over the years on which I've had to list my occupation. Even during the times that I've been employed, I've still listed "homemaker." I'm so grateful to God and to my supportive husband that I've had the chance to have this job that I love.

This past week, as I was cleaning out my closet, I came across a little treasure. A piece of art that was given to me upon the birth of my oldest son.

It used to hang on my wall, but for several years now has been stacked in my closet. The artwork was done by a woman named Janet Casey. The writer of the words is not identified, although some of you will recognize them as having been inspired by I Corinthians 13. I wanted to share them with you.

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love--I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements but have not love, my children learn of cleanliness--not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints in a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

As a mother there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.