I picked up Cooper (2nd grade) from school on Friday. He was unusually quiet.
ME: “What’s wrong?”
COOPER: “Nothing,” he said, but not convincingly.
More silence.
COOPER: “When is Parker moving away to go to college?”
ME: “It will be a few more weeks.”
Big tears began to well-up in his eyes and roll down his cheeks.
ME: “You okay, buddy?”
COOPER: “Yeah, I’m going to miss Parker,” as he wipes tears from his eyes.
ME: “But he’ll come back often, and it’ll be like he’s not even gone.”
COOPER: “I know, but I’m still going to miss him.”
ME: “Me too, Coop, me too.”
Sometimes being part of a family hurts.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Aww this is so sad. I know that feeling. I have to count myself blessed to have a close enough family where we all miss each other when we’re not together.
There’s nothing in the world like family … when it works the way it should.
When you love like you’re supposed to love, there is always pain. It says you’ve raised your family right! I’ve done more than a few funerals where not a tear was shed because there was no love lost among the family members. Very sad.
Greg … I too have done funerals where families do nothing but fight and argue, and sadly these are adults. Many will say, “I haven’t talked to my brother/sister in 20 years,” and I think, “How sad.”
There’s a lot of love in the Morgan family! I think it’s awesome that Cooper isn’t afraid to show it.
Taking notes myself for next year when it’ll be our turn (although Brady insists he’s going to OC, so it hopefully won’t be as hard on the rest of us).
Cooper has always had a tender heart and is the quintessential little brother. Anytime our kids move out … it’s tough, but having a son (Brady) stay there to go to college should help.
Bless his heart. I know he has to have a lot of mixed emotions right now. My being an only, I cannot understand what that feels like, but I do remember when it was time for me to move to college. I was so excited about it until the last week and I literally sat in my dad’s lap in his recliner that last week before moving. It is hard transitioning into that new seaon of life and it isn’t just hard on the one transitioning. It is a change for everyone. Cooper will learn that their relationship is going to get even stronger and that new things will develop for them to share. Prayers for all.
Thank you Brittainy
That speaks volumes about the love your kids have for each other. There are times that I wish my relationship with my brother was better, although things have gotten easier between us these last few years.
Ok, I must confess I thought this post was going to be about getting hit in the head by the wiffle-ball by one of your boys so I was not expecting this. Such a sweet testament to how much Cooper loves and looks up to his big brother(s)!
I’m telling you, Parker can sling that wiffle-ball at what seems about 90 mph and taking one in the side of the head Saturday night was a bit painful too.
Awww..this was a very sweet post. It’s nice to know that boys can have those feelings towards their siblings, too.
You might hint/suggest to Parker that he and Cooper have a “boys day out” sometime soon just to make it a little easier on Cooper. Sometimes that “alone time” can help ease the hurt. I “suggest” to Victoria every so often to spend time with Sierra. 
I know Victoria is getting older, and she will be more social in the years to come. I try to remind her, though, that Sierra looks up to her and cherishes any time they do spend together. GOD BLESS your sweet family!
Good thinking, Carolyn.
I'm testing Intense Debate.
There seems to be some kind of problem but I'm not sure what.
It will be okay Coop, but I feel your pain. Grandmama
Awww…….
We had a similar conversation at our house!! I’ve been talking about it off and on for awhile, to prepare my little guy, so it’s not a complete shock. At first, he was just interested in finding out if he could have his big brother’s room! However, now it’s starting to sink in that his big brother is REALLY going to be gone. A few tears and a lot of sadness!
Ouch … big brothers don’t just go off to school without it being tough on the younger son brother. Thinking about you guys to at this time.
Awww. I love how you posted this…the title to this post is just so honest. It does hurt. I’ve been thinking about this a little this past weekend…but I’ve actually been thinking of it in terms of a larger family, that is our church family.
Let me say that I’ve been attending my church here in Little Rock for 4 years now, and I absolutely love it. It’s a large church (attendance usually well over 1,000) so I don’t possibly know everyone. But I find that the longer I go there, the smaller it gets, as I get to know more and more people. It’s become home to me. They’re my family.
But my heart absolutely broke last night as a young man who’s been one of our youth ministers for 11 years preached his last sermon before leaving to take a preaching job in Tennessee.
I really do not know this youth minister at all. But I do know that he came to our church as a very young man, probably straight out of college. Over the past 11 years, he married and they recently adopted two beautiful twin daughters.
So without really knowing this brother of mine…just knowing how much I would miss my church family if I were to leave right now…I can’t even begin to imagine how he feels.
I know that he’s a powerful preacher who will do amazing work for our God wherever he decides to serve.
But a part of my heart still hurts for him.
Goodbyes are always tough. When I left the last place I preached, it was SO tough to tell everyone goodbye … even though I was only going an hour and a half down the road.
I can’t even begin to imagine how tough it was on Jesus to tell his apostles goodbye in John 13, after being with them for three years.
When I left the first church I pastored, I got depressed for more than three years. It’s like half of me died or something.
I know your sad Coop, but isn’t it great that you love you brother so much. Tell him that. I am so proud of you for being so sweet and loving. Even though it hurts, I think Jesus is really proud of you for loving Parker so much. Keep your chin up little guy. We love you.
Josh, Jacob and Suzi
P.S. You will probably get e-mails, and letters and stuff
This is touching. Thank you for sharing Trey.
I was experiencing excitment and saddness in all the moves I’ve made in my life. When I moved to Searcy, AR to go to Harding with my sister. When I moved to Lubbock, TX to go through AIM. When I moved to Scotland for the mission field. Moving back to Lubbock to go through SIBI. And now considering where I want to go to serve in ministry. I’m a big momma’s boy and call (or contact in some form or fashion) my parents every night. I make sure to call and talk to my siblings often as well. I miss them all so much and lumps well up in my throat each time I hang up. So I know what y’all are feeling. God bless the Morgan family and the work y’all are doing in Childress.
Thank you Zack.