Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Packing, Shipping, Moving…

So here I am, an assistant packer to DS who’s moving to his second apartment. In a few days, when this is done, I’ll be assistant shipper to DD who is moving a lot farther, and then an assistant mover-in (a glamorous term for a tag-along) as she checks-in to her residence only three thousand miles away.


And then…
Back here, to what is euphemistically referred to as the empty nest. Empty? Not my cluttered abode. But without what has been the hearth and soul of it, the nippers.

My late mother, who was an avid bird-watcher, told me chicks leave the nest once and then return, before leaving for good. My family got to observe many nests of different birds and their hatchlings, who found our home and yard a desirable place to build theirs. My mother’s observations proved right.

And so it is with humans- they leave but return before they leave permanently. But it is never the same. A new stage is set, and the parents must move on to the third act.
But I can’t quite grasp it, because I’m too busy. That’s a good thing. Otherwise my grip may lose its grasp, and I’d become a puddle of muddle.

Advice, support, and good recipes welcome!

9 comments:

Kelly Hashway said...

Aw, it's tough to let go. Keep busy. It's a great distraction.

Vijaya said...

Bittersweet. I've watched from a distance with my sister and how beautifully she is adapting to life with adult children who are strong and independent and who will one day care for her.

Kittens!!! I think that is my solution for everything.

Stephanie Faris said...

I don't know if they ever really fully leave. I have lunch with my mom twice a week and dinner once a week...sometimes another dinner on weekends. I'm 43! We worked together for more than 10 years, before I left to write full-time and she retired...both within the past year. I've enjoyed these times with her more as an adult than I did as a teen! There's something about growing up that makes you appreciate your parents SO much more.

Yanting Gueh said...

I hope you ease into your third act, filled with books, music, art, classy films, short trips and weekend/holiday visits from the young birds.

Unknown said...

Oh dear! Hugs for you, Mirka! No advice...I'm dreading my oldest starting pre-school next month...never mind moving out.

Mirka Breen said...

Sweet Katie- The Boy will be fine. He's ready to share his charms with the bigger world.

Anonymous said...

Best wishes for smooth travels and that they return home for many visits. And thank goodness for Skype. That (and a wonderful trip across the pond) got me through my son's year at Oxford. We even propped up a laptop on our Thanksgiving table, so he could join us. :)

Mirka Breen said...

Oooh, Marcia, I like that. It'll be a Skypegiving to remember.

Tina Cho said...

I'm not at this time in life yet--but I think technology could come to the rescue when you really need to talk to them or see them! Yes, Skype, Tango--free! Kik is a free texting app that my daughter started using. and Magic Jack--free phone calls :)