Mother's Day has come and gone. Ed, Braxton, and I went to Champaign, since three of our kids were there finishing finals, and had a wonderful day.
This weekend, the kids were all back home. It's been awhile since they've been here together.
As we were sitting out on the patio Friday night, they brought out a large, thin box and told me they had a present for me for Mother's Day.
Of course, I hadn't been expecting anything. We'd already celebrated. But, I have to admit I was really excited to see what could be inside.
It became obvious that this was a picture, of some sort, fairly quickly, because of the size and shape of the box. Although, I could never have possibly guessed what the picture was.
I finished opening the box and saw a large world map.
In the bottom right corner, on a gold placard, is the quote: 'We may go, but our hearts stay home.'
Of course, I felt tears well up in my eyes almost immediately.
As the kids explained the meaning of this world map, the tears streamed slowly down my face.
They told me that this picture is actually a push-pin picture which allows you to place a push-pin for each place you've traveled. A visual record, of sorts.
They went on to say we'll have push-pins for each of us, six colors, and we can place one in parts of the world we've already been...and places we will soon be.
With our children soon going to parts of the world without us, this gift has such tremendous meaning to me.
I found Macedonia.
Braxton will leave in September to make this tiny space on the map his new home for over two years. I know I'll look at that push-pin and think of him each time I do. Somehow, it will make me feel closer.
Blaize will have a new home soon when he lands his first job. We don't know where that will be yet, but we know that a push-pin will mark that spot.
A reminder of where another of my sons is living.
Somewhere far away from me.
From us.
But their hearts will be home.
We will mark the places Ed went on his childhood vacations and ones where I went with my parents and brother.
We'll add our honeymoon and our annual Stewart Family vacations.
The boys can add their Spring Break trips from the past couple of years.
Italy will hold two push-pins signifying when Blaize and Brody went with the Alfano's several years ago.
A family travel history within one beautiful cherry-wood-framed world map.
I've already hung it.
It's at the top of the stairs so you can see it as soon as you come in the front door.
I'll pass by it several times a day.
I already know I'll show my family and friends with pride.
I am sure that, sometimes, when I look at this, I'll be overcome with sadness confronted with the reality of the distance between us...oceans apart...but I am also sure that I will remember that even though the kids may be physically far...their hearts are here, with me.
I pray we have many years ahead to add more push-pins to this map.
I want the kids to spread their wings.
To go follow their dreams wherever they may take them.
To go places Ed and I may never see and come back to share stories of their adventures.
To immerse themselves into different cultures and meet people with a different way of life.
To realize that the world is such a big, beautiful place.
And.
Then.
I want them to come back home, again, before they add another push-pin.
My heart is full.
I can thank my children for that.
I've done my part as a mom and now they are close to striking out on their own path.
'We may go, but our hearts stay home.'
Who would have thought a world map, dotted with multi-colored push-pins, would become one of my most prized possessions?
No matter who travels where...I already know where my favorite cluster of push-pins will be...Illinois.
South Jacksonville.
The place all six of us will always call home.
The place where our hearts stay.
It is what it is.
p
