The Night Before The Nest Empties

I have been anticipating this night for many, many years. Our nest has been half empty a few times for several years with the coming and going college years to our oldest leaving for good three years ago. You could say that I’ve been living in a state of anticipatory grief waiting for this moment to come when our youngest bird flies off to start his next chapter and his room is left empty. As a result of astronomical housing prices, his departure was delayed longer than he planned giving us some bonus years. But here we are, the night before he leaves the nest.

The years have ended, the time has come to face what I’ve been anticipating since the beginning of this letting go season. The emotions I’m feeling are bittersweet, the both and, sad and excited! Sad to know he will no longer occupy his room and excited for him, my hubby and I to start a new chapter. (Fun fact, in almost 30 years of marriage we have never lived just the two of us.) Mixed with the anticipatory grief has been sparks of excitement of what is to come including: lower grocery bills, no more staying up late worrying about when he will come home, endless date nights, a fancy new guest room and (excuse the tmi) being able to disrobe when the night sweat episodes invade my body without fear of causing trauma to my adult son.

I look forward to the phone calls and visits that will now have new meaning. I beam with pride that my two birds have such a close connection and friendship that they will be living together and we will get a two for one special when we visit. I’ve never been the mom who looked eagerly forward to her birds leaving. I love having my “boys” close and the relationship we share. But alas, it is time for the last bird to fly. Tomorrow he will take his final flight and with tears in my eyes and a heart filled with love I will watch him depart wishing him nothing but the best in his new nest!!!!! 

Shine bright,

Teresa