As Logan's life began to improve, Andrew started noticing the changes.<\/p>\n
His older brother was spending more time at school and less time hiding in his bedroom.<\/p>\n
He was also sleeping better.<\/p>\n
One night, while I was preparing dinner, Andrew sat on the kitchen floor with his toy truck.<\/p>\n
"Mommy?"<\/p>\n
"Yes, sweetheart?"<\/p>\n
"Logan going away?"<\/p>\n
I turned off the stove.<\/p>\n
"What makes you ask that?"<\/p>\n
"He talks about college."<\/p>\n
I knelt beside him.<\/p>\n
"College is a school for older students. Logan might go there someday, but he isn't leaving tomorrow."<\/p>\n
Andrew considered this.<\/p>\n
"Will he still play trucks?"<\/p>\n
I smiled.<\/p>\n
"I think he'll always have time to play trucks with you."<\/p>\n
Andrew seemed satisfied.<\/p>\n
Then he asked whether his brother could take his stuffed bear to college.<\/p>\n
I laughed softly.<\/p>\n
"That will be something you'll have to ask him."<\/p>\n
Later, I told Logan about the conversation.<\/p>\n
He looked genuinely touched.<\/p>\n
"I didn't realize he was listening."<\/p>\n
"Little children hear more than we think."<\/p>\n
Logan picked up Andrew, who immediately wrapped his arms around his neck.<\/p>\n
"I'll come home to visit," Logan promised.<\/p>\n
Andrew held him tighter.<\/p>\n
"Promise?"<\/p>\n
Logan looked at me before answering.<\/p>\n
"I promise I'll do my best to come home whenever I can."<\/p>\n
It was a careful promise.<\/p>\n
One he could actually keep.<\/p>\n
I realized then that I had spent too much time treating our family as something that had to remain physically together to remain whole.<\/p>\n
But raising my son meant preparing him to leave one day.<\/p>\n
And loving him meant helping him go without making him feel guilty.<\/p>\n
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