Missed

Recently Amanda told us that she planned to leave behind a life-size cut-out of herself when she leaves home this fall. I think she was joking. She seems to be worried that we may not miss her enough. I think. Or that we will somehow forget her.

It upsets her when the younger kids talk casually (or excitedly) about the bedroom shuffle that will take place after she is gone. She has initiated several conversations on this topic. “Will you cry, Mom?” or “Erika, you’re going to be sad, huh?” I have no problem giving her the confirmation she is seeking: that I will miss her terribly, life won’t be the same around here, I will cry, etc. but she apparently wants to hear it from them.

Last night Ryan asked if he could join her (and her boyfriend) on a snow cone run. She declined the request. He said, “Please? I promise I will hug the cut-out every day you are gone.”

How can you say no to that? (But she did; I won't miss that!)