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:
Aw, it's tough to let go. Keep busy. It's a great distraction.
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.
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.
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.
Oh dear! Hugs for you, Mirka! No advice...I'm dreading my oldest starting pre-school next month...never mind moving out.
Sweet Katie- The Boy will be fine. He's ready to share his charms with the bigger world.
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. :)
Oooh, Marcia, I like that. It'll be a Skypegiving to remember.
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 :)
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