There’s a big transition looming on my horizon.  My oldest daughter is moving.  To Australia.  In about one week.

We’ve known about this for a long time.  She spent a semester abroad in Perth her junior year at Notre Dame, and met someone.   These two have maintained a long distance relationship for two years, seeing each other a couple of times a year and making do with Skype, instant messaging, email and the occasional card.  Our daughter graduated in May and came home to work for a few months.  Her goal was to earn enough money to convince the Australian government to grant her a visa, and a couple of months ago, she got the good word that she could enter the country.  Her Someone has just finished law school and needs to get work experience in his field before he can apply to work in the U.S.  They assure me that living in the U.S., specifically in Hawaii, is their long term goal.

As her departure grows closer, the distance seems to grow greater.  It’s not all that much farther than she was when she was at Notre Dame, but it’s another country.  Not so easy (or so cheap!) to pick up the cell phone and push her speed-dial.  And it’s West of us instead of East, which makes the time zone coordination a little more complicated.

Her dad and I support her decision, but it’s still hard.  When I saw this sentiment in the Sale-a-bration catalog, I knew it was meant for her.

• Whimsical Words SAB Clear Mount stamps and Baroque Motifs stamp set
• Whisper White, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, and Pale Plum card stock
• Certainly Celery and Bordering Blue Classic ink pads
• Big Shot and Beautiful Wings Embosslit
• Ticket corner punch, Gold brads, and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint

The butterflies seem appropriate too, though butterflies aren’t really her favorites.  They represent change and taking flight and letting go.  I’m working on accepting all three.