my feelings on Norway and other things

Today I found out that my little baby sister is moving to Norway in 6 months. 

She will be moving all the way across the ocean to a dark, gloomy, foreign land full of trolls. 

You could also think of it as a magical, mysterious, exciting land with snow covered forests and  ocean cliffs. 

I don't know what I think about Norway. I will try and push away my growing sense of fear and sadness and be EXCITED for my little sister. 

There are many things we don't have in common. One thing we do have in common is that we have both grown to LOVE exciting grand adventures in new places. So, I know exactly the tingly excitement she is feeling. And I can't help but squeal with joy. 

THIS IS SO EXCITING!

In 6 months I will say goodbye to my innocent, naive, immature, unburdened, hilarious, creative little sister.

Next summer I will welcome home my mature, experienced, traveled, grown up, not quite so little sister. 

LIFE GOES SO FAST!

I will try not to think about how much I will miss her for 9 whole months. Who will I play with at home? Who will I take crazy pictures with? How will I live as an only child for 9 months?

I know Norway will be amazing for her. She will learn so much about herself and about her God. She will get better at the things she is good at. She will discover new talents she never considered before. She will understand the way the world works. 

HER LIFE WILL BLOSSOM BEFORE HER VERY EYES!

Growing up isn't easy all the time though. There are so many things that scare me. There are so many reasons I don't want her to grow up. I am much more nervous for her to live life than for me to move out. There are so many bad people and bad places. There are so many ways your heart can get broken. There are so many scary decisions. What if she feels lonely? I did.  What if she is sad? I was at times. What if she is scared and doesn't have anyone to protect her? It happens. 

Is this how parents feel? Is this a tiny taste of having children? How did my parents do it? twice? I guess I will have to leave it up to God. He wants her to be safe and happy even more than I do. 

I can't wait for the stories to come.

I can't wait for her life to unfold. 

I can't wait till we are both grown up ladies and live together in a super cool apartment doing super cool things. 

I can't wait for her to be crazy aunt Emma. 

I can't wait for us to go on adventures together. 

I can't wait. 

If I could tell her one thing it would be:

LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND TERRIFYING AND MOSTLY AMAZING!!! 

ENJOY!!!

If I could tell her one more thing it would be this: I will miss you. Get home!