It's difficult to see children grow up sometimes. Mrs. Arable certainly struggles with the idea of Fern being interested in Henry Fussy. Simply letting her daughter wander off into the Fair without her makes Mrs. Arable a little weepy. And the highlight of the Fair, for Fern, is not Wilbur's victory. It's being stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel with Henry.
My niece got married this weekend. Soon, she will be heading downstate with her new husband. It's difficult to think of her as a grownup, let alone a married woman. She's heading out into the world to carve out a new life, create a new family for herself. Yet, like Mrs. Arable, I can't seem to get past the fact that she and her husband still seem so young.
I'm not worried about them. They're both smart and resourceful. And they are really in love. I was talking with my five-year-old son last night, and he said to me, "She is going away now, and I won't see her any more, right?" He was genuinely sad at the idea of my niece not being around any more. I told him that he would see her at holidays and other special times, but it didn't really cheer him up. He doesn't quite grasp the idea of separation. His world isn't quite that big yet.
I know my son will adjust to my niece's new existence. The next time he sees her, he may even refuse to give her a hug, because that's just the way little boys are. Love is malleable. He's going to take his feelings about my niece and mold them, like a lump of playdough, into something he understands. A fish. Bear. Goblin. Heart.
My prayer tonight is for my niece's happiness as she heads out into the world. I pray that she will always know love and kindness. That she will never feel want or hunger. And that, when difficult times arise, she and her husband will know they are never alone.
This is Saint Marty's hope for her.
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