The Word Is: Empty

Well, they're both gone. Tonight will be the first night in the (almost) 23 years since Rich and I became parents that neither of our two children are living with us. Neither of them has a "room" in our home any more, and this is how they want it. This is quite a strange time. I feel a new chapter of my life beginning and I do not know what to expect, how to act, or what to do. Here's some of what I am feeling (in no particular order)...

Happy. Sad. Excited. Worried. Relieved. Nervous. Concerned. Panicked. Free.

So, will I sleep better tonight, or will I worry more? Will I have the wisdom to do this right? Will I know what to pray for? Can I adjust my grocery purchasing habits? Can I let go of them the way I know I need to? Can I trust them? Have I done enough? Have I done too much? Will they be okay? Will they make good choices? Will they appreciate us more now, and will they finally start to "get it?"

All of these things, I don't know. Time will tell. Wish me well. This is weird.

"It kills you to see them grow up, but I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't."  —Barbara Kingsolver

"If you have never been hated by your child then you have never been a parent."  —Bette Davis

"Don't handicap your children by making their lives too easy."  —Robert Heinlein

"There are two last bequests we can give our children: one is roots, the other is wings."  —Hodding Carter, Jr.

Time Out...

It's time to take a little blogging break. I'll be back. Hope y'all are enjoying your summer.

Later dudes...

"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."  —Lily Tomlin

"Give your stress wings and let it fly away."  —Guillemets

"A break is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer."  —anonymous