Diane Sawyer Said It Best, "Don't Cry Because It's Over, Smile Because It Happened."

Great advice but not always easy. On Tuesday we drove to South Carolina to meet up with my son and granddaughters for a final goodbye. My son will be stationed in Germany for the next four years. He's been stationed overseas before so I should be used to the goodbyes but somehow yesterday was harder than in the past.

We've had such great times together over the past few years with my son living just four hours away. All of our kids were home this year for Christmas and it was wonderful having everyone together. It seemed the holidays had just begun when it was time to say goodbye. I'll replay the memories for many years to come.A family moment over the holidays

Then came January 5th - a day before departure.

The girls bought and decorated goodbye cards for Dad and Stepmom

They enjoyed reading the cards and notes before going to bed

Early the next morning came the heavy-hearted walk to the terminal

All too soon were the final hugs goodbye

My granddaughters are still just a few hours away as they will be staying with their mom during the school year. That is a blessing.