Thursday, August 12, 2010

Empty Nest: Beginnings

Facing our empty nest was not as easy as people told me it would be.  "Oh, don't worry," they promised.  "It gets easier with each child.  By the time the youngest is ready, you will hardly be able to contain yourself!"  HA! Those were nothing less than bold faced lies!  It actually got harder with each daughter--did I mention we have four?  What happens is that, with each child's departure, one becomes very aware of what this truly means--your baby is not only gone, she is not coming back and an entire era has ended.  Don't get me wrong.  We are very proud of our daughters and we tried very hard to raise them to be independent.  It's just that it really smacks you in the face when you have been successful! Anyway, by the time the youngest was ready to go off to college, I was an emotional wreck. I had spent the last 25 years raising daughters.  Hubby and I decided, upon the birth of our first child, that it would be best for one of us to stay home and raise our children even though it would mean doing without certain things such as the big house, the new car smell of an actual new car, clothing from stores other than Wal-Mart and K-Mart, etc.  So, for 25 years, I stayed home and raised the kids.  Actually, staying home is something one rarely does while raising children.  I spent the last quarter of a century volunteering, chauffeuring, managaing, doctoring, nurturing, encouraging, making priceless memories, laughing until it hurt, praying, creating family traditions--a good deal of which took place outside the home at school, gymnastics, piano lessons, soccer games/practices, cello, band, dance team, competition dance, chorus, softball, rehearsals, performances, and so on.  Have you ever thought that these practices, rehearsals, games, performances and such were endless?  They are not.  So, if you are going through this phase of life now, enjoy every single moment because they will end and you will be left wondering not only what to do with all the time on your hands but also where the time went.

Neither hubby nor I would change a single minute of the last 25 years other than to discover a secret way to prolong the inevitable- an empty nest.  I felt as though I had been laid off from a job I loved.  I went from being busy every second of the day to having nothing to do.  I did take a job at the girls' elementary school but the district took a hard punch from the economy which ended that occupation of my time.  Thus, the first year of empty nest left me with ample time on my hands...


3 comments:

  1. Found you on blogfrog. We started our blogs just about the same time! Going to take some time and read your thoughts about this season of life. We've been in it for nearly 10 years. blessings on your day!

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  2. This is what I'm worried about and I didn't get to practice with more then one. I can't imagine it being easy with any number, especially with such a close knit family. I so appreciate all your thoughts, feelings and all.
    I started from the now to back in the beginning. I don't do that to that many blogs. You kept me intrigued the full time. Thank you!
    I'll be back to check in on you. Take care, good night.

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  3. Julie, it doesn't matter whether it's one or more, empty nest is NO PICNIC! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and for you wonderful comments! I'm rooting for you in you 5K!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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