Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps. David Lloyd George, 1863 – 1945
Freedom – melancholy – delight – sorrow – questioning…
I suppose the empty nest many times means freedom. This seems to be especially true coming from parents with children under the age of fourteen. These parents are generally in the thick of it and a world without children seems like a far away world.
Without children, including our current senior in high school, we will have a house that stays clean, dishes will not be found all over the house, piles of clothes, backpacks, and shoes will not be tripped over as we enter the house, the amount of food and beverage necessary to keep on site will greatly decrease and the motherly reminders will be silent. So yes, there is much less energy necessary to drive the house.
On the other hand, I played a lot of basketball and ping-pong with my son, listened to his music (a little hard at times, but at other times a lot of fun), met some really neat people through him, got to see him grow and struggle with the high school stuff – girl friends, home work, swimming, and college choices. Of course those are the one I know about. And I enjoyed the general wonderment of watching it all happen. I’ll miss a lot of that.
He’s on to his next adventure – we’re on to our next adventure. I’m ready to watch him grow and stretch some more, but from a distance. I’m ready for the next step – whatever that may be – and I do have ideas.
Empty nest – it’s a departure for us. It’s an adventure too.
Here’s to wings.
Bryan Dear
