Goodbyes

I just got home from dropping J off at the airport. It was hard but I tried to stay upbeat for him. He is doing this to invest in OUR future, not just his, and I am trying to be supportive and encouraging of that. He will be home in 16 weeks. The countdown has officially begun.

So I got home and sat down to send him a little email that hopefully would make him smile. When I signed into my gmail account, I noticed an email he sent me last July. I was going through some pretty big changes in my life at that time and was feeling generally anxious. I had been unhappy in my job and decided to accept a new position and while I was excited, I was fearful of the change. The following is the email that he sent me:

The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales

Be at Peace
Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are,
will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto,
and He will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it,
God will bury you in his arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and everyday.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace,
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.

St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622

So I sent it back to him this morning, telling him to save it in HIS inbox and read it when he was feeling scared or unsettled. I know how anxious he is about being away for 4 months and essentially living out of a suitcase. I am going to miss him terribly, but am looking forward to having him back in the fall and marrying him shortly thereafter.

(I'm a sucker for a man in scrubs...)