Stephenson Family Ties

The Road goes on and on
Down from the door where it began,
How far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until if joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
from: Lord of the Rings
by : Tolkien

Some things never change....but most things change a grundel!!!


One thing that there will ALWAYS be.... the ugly cry at the MTC, whether its at the curb or in the auditorium. There is ALWAYS the brave, stoic Builder- with good advise, handshakes and hugs and a comemortive coin.

When Robby passed through those MTC doors, he had his whole adoring family there to watch.
And back then....it was 'legal' to go to the airport to say good-bye again.... and cousins joined us in the farewell.



When Joe left a few months later- we were all there again-minus Robby-who was still out serving in Chile. (2003)



On Anna's departure through those doors- there was only one younger brother in attendance, due to marriages and work schedules. (2007)




Clark's accompaniment was even more sparse- for Anna was still in Houston serving and big brothers had their hands full with their own families. Only the 3 of us were there to watch him exit through those infamous doors.



And now we have Brian. And though there will be no variation to my behavior or to myBuilder's, we notice the obvious changes even more. First- there is no door and no drama!!! Only a curb and less than 5 minutes to divided us. 5 agonizing minutes to say good-bye. Next variation- we have Clark with us, as a RM!! (return missionary) How grateful we are that he is home and could spend some time with Brian before he left. Clark is probably finding this whole experience surreal. He's been home for a week, and here he finds himself back where it all began-the beloved MTC!! So once again, its just the 3 of us saying good-bye!!!

PS.... I have to confess....this afternoon was nothing but BRUTAL!!! I had been prophesying all along that the curb-side goodbye was going to be WAY better than the 45 min ordeal in the auditorium. Im here to tell you that I was WRONG!!! So very wrong. The whole process felt wrong. Im going to write a letter to the powers that be because it was so wrong!!!

We pulled to the curb, and two elders who must have left their emotions and their hearts in some dark closet in the MTC, jumped into action. They pounced on Brian and emptied the back of our truck of his luggage in one fail swoop!!! Then the command was given that we get our pictures taken and move on and away. And to make matter worse, we could find no one that would snap a couple of family shots for us. Missionaries young and old would have nothing to do with our camera....."we can't be held libel for your camera." I truly began to fear that I wasnt going to get a decent family shot of us together. All the while the young, obnoxious elders were tapping their toes waiting for us to get on with it. A helpful citizen was finally found, and a single shot was taken (above) and a last, desperate, clinging hug was given by me and then he was gone. Gone. Around the corner he went, with nary a look back.

I was a mess. I wandered away from the truck to find a secluded spot to cry my eyes out. And thats just what I did. That big ol ugly cry!!! My Builder found me and sat beside me and let me weep. A few minutes later Clark appeared with a concerned look on his face...not because I was such a mess...for he understood....but because the 'elder police' were in a tizzy that our truck was still parked at the curb!!!! For Heck sake....LEAVE ME ALONE IN MY MISERY!!!! So even then I felt rushed and insignificant and helpless. We piled into the truck and left....never to have to return and 'sacrifice' one of my own at the gates of the MTC!!! Thank heavens.

( I know that tomorrow, or maybe the next day, I will feel a little differently about this whole experience...maybe...but for now I am tender....really really tender.)