It is four weeks until graduation and eight weeks until the flight. It’s not the flight that leads to a busy summer of visiting family and friends (though there will be some of that). Not the flight of our family leaving our host country to start a new adventure. No, it’s the flight where our TCK leaves the nest.

This is the second go around, so part of me believes that I should know what to expect. To be better prepared for the hard good-byes.

Nope. I’ve been busy going down the aisles of denial. You know, those store aisles where you find yourself meandering because they just have a little of everything that is interesting, but you never commit to putting it in your shopping cart?

That is how I’m feeling. We’ve looked at future options. We’ve planned a last trip. I look at all the things that need to be packed or sold because we will return to having ONE home. But I’ve only taken note. I’ve not actually packed anything. I’ve not put up any advertisements for things for sale. And I’ve not written anything because it feels raw.

Because as soon as I do any one of those things – I will have stepped out of that aisle and into reality.

It’s kind of funny because I give talks and help people transition. But I have avoided my own transition. It’s always easier to help others than to deal with our own grief, right?

But this week, starting with this post, I am committing to enter into this reality that soon she will leave. Soon she will pack up her room. Soon we will go to the airport. Soon I will drop her off wherever she will be going and I will leave. Soon I will return without her.

Just writing that my eyes become blurry. But I need you, dear and faithful readers, to keep me accountable. To be present in the moments we have left where we are. To be in the midst of joy and celebration, alongside goodbye and grief.

She’s been RAFTinG.
And I’ve helped her with that.
But what am I going to do?

Work on my DOCK. You can read more about this tool for Stayers over at my business site, Global Crossroads Consulting.

• But it’s leaning in and being self-aware of your own emotions.
• It’s listening and acknowledging all the emotions and thoughts your TCK is experiencing.
• It’s remembering.
• It’s finding good and healthy ways to stay connected.
• And it is about finding space to process the grief.

Anyone else finding their family in this kind of a season? How are you coping?