Empty nest...it is everything it's cracked up to be and more.
My two girls flew the coup permanently during their college years. The youngest hasn't lived at home now for four years. I can't believe it's been FOUR YEARS! Do you ever stop missing them...I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'll still be missing them 10, 20 years from now. I miss the day-to-day interactions, the singing, the laughter, the chatter, the mom/daughter dates, the late night movie nights. I miss good-night kisses and hugs. I miss the music we shared.
I've tried to give them space to grow, to stretch their wings. But, I'll always be a mom and sometimes I still try to help and it's not always taken graciously. Us moms are human, we step on toes, make mistakes, but we always do what we do because we care and because we love them so fiercely our hearts may burst. We still want to protect them no matter how old they get. I don't know that that will ever go away. I still look at them and see the little girls they used to be.
I believe in my girls...
in their STRENGTH,
in their DETERMINATION,
in their FUTURE.
They have grown into strong women and I can take some pride in knowing I equipped them well.
Will they make mistakes, bad decisions...yes, I'm sure. Will they always come to me for help and advice...probably not. But, no matter what, I'll always be here when they do need me. And I hope they know that.
Miles and oceans have separated us these past 18 months. It's been harder than I imagined. I've had to hear about their joys and their broken hearts from afar and that breaks mine. Sometimes I feel somewhat estranged from them, as if they are out there somewhere, but I'm not really a part of it all. As if our lives are running along parallel roads and occasionally they come to a junction and intersect, but then continue along on their own again. I suppose this is the way it's meant to be. I cut the cord long ago, but pray that there will always be a small amount of string holding us together.
So here we find ourselves now...the hubs and I, living abroad, pursuing the dream. We truly are having the time of our life. We've settled into a nice routine and are enjoying this new life together. There are no longer lessons and practices to rush to...our time is again our own. It is a weird mix of sorrow and joy this thing called empty-nesting.
We are growing closer together and loving the adventure more and more each day. This new season in our life has been so good to us.
Empty nest...not such a bad thing after all.
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