Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Good Times in Savannah, and Goodbyes

A full day of tooling around Savannah? I'll head straight to the Paris Market and Brocante, thanks!


Daisy chose a long violet-scented marshmallow,


and I thought the violet and lemon French candies would look good in my purse.


Delicious infused water--this was strawberry and pineapple. I've been making it myself since we got home, with everything from lemon balm to apples and rosemary. Beautiful!


Off to a picnic in one of the many squares, with French sodas stashed in the lunch bag.


On to the paper store, where I loaded up on little brown paper notebooks to embellish, and Clara splurged on scarlet hummingbird stationery.


Then Giles had to get down to business (imagine!)


so we left him to it, and went to the Gryphon Tea Room which is run by SCAD. Lusciously beautiful inside, of course, with high ceilings, white light reflected off marble, and a tiled floor.


The milk pitcher was just Daisy's size, and she poured for everyone.


She also claimed the prettiest tart,


but there were plenty to go around.


Off to the beach for a little wading . . .


and bird photography.


Sunday we did our last meal together for a little while,


and had one last hug,


and said our goodbyes. We know Giles will be happy in this wonderful place.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooer, lump in my throat! But how wonderful that you are able to release him to spread his wings.

mrs boo radley said...

Lovey, lovely, lovely!

He's been raised by loving parents, I can tell.

A said...

Ooh! I remember my dad leaving me at college! Not nearly so fun! Strange town, sickness, dad had to leave to get back to work . . .

I'm so glad that your family went to settle him in! A great start!

Amanda

Anonymous said...

I remember when my father dropped me off at college. He wasn't a kissing hugging man, and so I felt his love more deeply when he took my hands and kissed my cheek as he said goodbye.
I now have three at home and two in college. It really is a happy moment and sad too.
It really is a time of new changes, first times, and old times creating wonderful memories for your family.
Congratulations.
Karin in New York

Cathy said...

That song by the Birds keeps going through my mind,"For everything...turn, turn ,turn...There is a season....and a time for every purpose under heaven." I especially love it because it is in God's Word. Another verse to meditate on for this season for you and your family is Acts 21:32. Bread of life from heaven.

Grafted Branch said...

*sniffle*

Well done, Mom and Dad.

*sniffle, snort*

Well done.

YayaOrchid said...

What a sweet post! I think all your blogging readers will miss Giles' photos in your posts. It is bittersweet indeed letting go of your firstborn. And it never gets easier with the others, believe me.

Anonymous said...

Lump in my throat too. Good luck to Giles; I'm sure he'll have a great time.

Anonymous said...

My oldest is only 8 years old but I know the time is going to go so fast. Like you and other homeschoolers I am with my children from the moment they open their eyes until they go to sleep at night. It will be hard to have that empty space in our home but all little birds grow into big birds and have to leave the nest in time. Thankfully I still have many more years before that stage of our lives.

May God be with you all, especially Giles as he starts on his future plans for his life.

Warmly, Mrs M.

Diane said...

Leaving a much-loved child at college for the first time is the very essence of the word "bittersweet". How wonderful that the whole family went along, and spent such precious time with him! I am sure he will be much-blessed in his studies.

laurel said...

I hope it is going well back at home for your family. I am sure it must feel weird. Isn't the Paris market beautiful! It is one of my favorite places in Savannah. how fun that he chose such a great town to go to school in...you will enjoy visiting so much!

Eva Charles said...

It brings tears to my eyes. I have 16 years before my first born goes to college but I know the time will fly and it will be here before I know it.

Farrah said...

I am definitely going to have to visit the Paris Market next time I'm in Savannah!

I'm sure he will do great! I also remember my Father dropping me off at college in Atlanta from Kentucky and it was certainly bittersweet. I hope Giles finds good friends while there!

Karen said...

Looks like you all had a lovely time together! Good luck to Giles, and congratulations to you all.

Anonymous said...

The thing that impresses me about this
time of separation is that the family "TOOK"
Giles to college rather than send him.
And that you all spent some time together
in his new surroundings. It says soooo
much about this family. Giles will
be just fine...and so will you.

Ms. Dale

Anonymous said...

What a special time for you and your family and for Giles to have all that love around him as he enters a new phase of his life. I would love to visit Savanna one day! The girls look so pretty in their skirts/dress, and you did a great job on your photos. Giles would be proud!

Anonymous said...

Savannah..... :o)

JennyCash said...

Anna, I can tell just by how you "talk" that you've raised a boy to be proud of!

Anonymous said...

You found all the specialty shops. I should have known! All such great places to be spoiled in!

I hope his first week goes great and that you receive many phone calls of love from him!

Homeschooling just won't be the same with out him will it?

I am sure you have already walked in his room back at home and sighed. I hope he has a picture of his family in his new room at school! That last one of y'all is adoable.

Blessings.
carmen

Odelsa said...

My children are little but seeing Giles go to college made me think how hard it's going to be. The last pic of you guys is beautiful.

Alicia said...

That was nothing but beautiful moments and I'm still going to cry for you. At least you can look forward to many more trips to beautiful Savannah. :^)

Gigi said...

Beautiful post. A good friend's daughter went to SCAD and loved every minute of it -- great school.

Enid said...

Found your blog today, I have five as well..looking forward to learn from you!
I can't even think on your stage of life right now with a college kid already...not ready for it! Blessings!!

Farmgirl said...

Ahhhh.....I so know the feeling, just 3 months ago we dropped our last daughter at home off at the plane for a time in England....that was not a good feeling, especially when returning home without her....but God is Good and He fills that void...We made it through and she is back home!! Safe and sound. And, you can know God will be with him, as others have said here, you have done well!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful trip....I want to go to Savannah!!

Mrs. U said...

OOOHH!! I'm crying now as I write this!! What a special time for your family as you see your first "little" one starting to fly off.

I will pray for your family!

His,
Mrs. U


PS- Thank you for sharing about the paper store! I've been to the other stores you mentioned in Savannah but have never seen the paper store! I will definitely look for that the next time we're down there!

Jen said...

I bet the years just flew too.

Linda said...

What a lovely post Anna. I think it wonderful that you were able to share this special time as a family. I love the last photo - bitter-sweet.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure Giles will be checking the blog for "memories" of home.

The bittersweet joy of releasing an arrow!

The holidays will hold special gifts for you...time together and to witness the maturity that comes in being on your own.

maggiegracecreates said...

Anna - I am not sure how I found your blog, but I keep coming back here.

He will love college and Savannah. My neice is at SCAD and a friends daughter is just up the road at Armstrong.

Best wishes - teresa

Anonymous said...

Here is a hug, just in case you need it.

Regina

Amanda said...

I love the pictures that you take of your son when he is taking pictures of birds.
Savannah is so gorgeous, now you have an extra excuse to visit.

Anonymous said...

Anna-
I always check up on your blog...gorgeous photos, inspiring messages...you and the Composer should be so proud of this wonderful young man the Lord entrusted you both to raise. And I can tell you both are! Your son is going to do fine at college- I'm wishing you and your family all the best- you are truly inspiring people who live the Word of God to the fullest. It's going to be fun to check up on your blog in the future and see the wonderful things the Lord is doing in Giles' life.

Love,
Dawn

Heather Anne said...

Such a precious photo journal of this amazing rite of passage! May the Lord bless Giles in Savannah with sweet memories of this bittersweet time. After all, a young man raised in a home such as yours cannot help but be a bit homesick despite the wonder of his new adventure.

C.A. Worcester said...

Anna, I haven't posted in a while, but have been coming by on occasion to see how life is.....

What beautiful pictures of all your family sending G. off to his next step in life. WoW. You know, it is hard for the kids, but I think as a parent that it is beyond words sometimes. To know when to let go and to encourage them to fly.....ouch. It isn't them falling out of the nest, it is you left behind beating yourself in the head saying "Oh, just one more day!!!!! Please just one more day!!!!" Ok, at least for me, it is hard.....but I know it is the right thing to do, and above all else, it is what God intends for us to do as parents.

Beautiful family. Beautiful life. Many blessings to you all and when G. comes to my mind, I of course will be sending up prayers for him.

Shalom,

C.A. Worcester

P.S. What a lovely town to live in!!!! How cool can that be???!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for Giles (and for you)! I live in CA, but visited Savannah last fall with my favorite friend from Montgomery, AL. SCAD was wonderful, and we even got to enjoy the Gryphon Tea Room. Looking at your photos, I wish that I could visit there, again, soon.

I love to read about your home and sewing projects.

lholcombe40@yahoo.com

affectioknit2 said...

I love love love Savannah!

Anonymous said...

We live in Savannah and our daughter (and son in law!) attended SCAD. It was an awesome experience for all. God bless you as your son leaves the nest! And I agree...The Paris Brocante is so wonderful. Glad you had such a nice visit.

Kathy from Savannah www.thesewingroomandmore.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I have said this before and I'll say it again, you have such a lovely family. Not all families have that connection and unity that yours seem to have.

My oldest boy is almost 14 years old and so not too far away from becoming a man. Your boy Giles has certainly come a long way since I first started visiting your blog. I wish him and your family well in this change in your lives and may God bless you even more.

~~Deby said...

What a sweet send-off....
You gave him roots...and now he is going to strengthening his wings....just watch as he soars...it is a blessing...I know this as I have been there..then one day, believe it or not...
you love your empty nest...it is like a honeymoon all the time...
Deby
still married to my high school sweetheart..., next month 37 years..

Anonymous said...

Had to come back to read this post again. :) I absolutely love the Paris Market in Savannah! I could spend a few days there.

Rie

Related Posts with Thumbnails