Dobson Daily: Chapters Close, Chapters Open

Saturday August 28, 2009

It’s 10:50 p.m., 50 minutes past my bedtime but instead of drifting off to sleep in my cozy pajamas I’m sitting at my computer listening to sounds from the teenage party in my basement drift up from below. Someone is playing the Pink Panther on my 100 year old, slightly tinny piano, while someone else, with no musical ability at all, is sitting next to the Pink Panther pianist and plunking the top keys without any rhythm or melody. I hear the steady back and forth of the ping pong ball underneath the more intense and electronic sound of the pinball machine. The strumming of a guitar is mixed with teenagers talking. It’s a back to school party, the first party Alex (14 ½) has hosted in our ‘made for teenage parties’ basement. Just two weeks previously Nicole hosted her farewell party with many of her high school friends, before they left for various colleges and jobs and missions.

I remembered how awkward her first basement parties were, and how Derek would come in and out suggesting games and activities to help move them past the awkwardness of young teenagers. I watched how Derek played that role again tonight at Alex's party.

And yet I contrasted those first awkward parties, with Nicole’s farewell party two weeks previously. I had asked her what activities she had planned. “None. We just want to be together. I’ll see friends here and there after this, but we’ll probably not all get together again." They had spent so many happy teenage moments together, and now that chapter was closing.

I took Nicole up weekend before last, to start her life at University. She couldn’t leave home fast enough, and I remember being 18 and feeling that same urgency to try life on my own. Derek asked me the night before she left, "Is she ready?" "Yes" I answered with confidence. She's such an amazing young women, mature, level headed and solid in knowing who she is. I know there will be life's lesson to be learned, and wisdom to be gained, but we feel like she has everything she needs to succeed. I feel confident in launching her off into the world. She went to school with her good friend who will now be her roommate. They are going to have an amazing time.

She has spent the last year working with children who are emotionally disturbed, most of whom have attachment disorders. She has loved it so much and so has decided to major in special education. She has such a gift and patience to work with these children. I feel that God has been putting forth experiences to prepare her for life. I can't wait to watch her life unfold.

I thought I’d include a few pictures of her at her new dorm.