Here We Go!

From my brother, Jim: "Brandon arrived at the MTC a few minutes early and they were very glad to see him and take him off my hands."

So it begins. Although I would have loved nothing more than to take him to UT and drop him off myself, my health currently prevents it and so giving my brother the opportunity to receive him, spend a day or so with him, and then drop him off at the MTC seemed a good option. I'm convinced that Elder Chesley serving his mission is a family event. All of us are invested to one degree or another--obviously some more than others. All of us will be affected by his service in one way or another.

There's a part of me that's completely at odds, though. I've spent over eighteen years with that kid, and going through the next two years without him will be tough. I keep feeling like there's something more I should be doing--someone to wait up for, someone to remind to do his chore, that kind of thing.

But Brandon said it to me best just before he left. "Mom, it's the law of the tithe. He's given me this time (his life so far on Earth), and I'm giving him my 10%."

That's deep, son. I love you.