The walls echo in the silence.
There used to be noise.
And lots of it.
It's been over 33 years of
this mothering thing.
I have had lots of dreams
and hopes and prayers
for those little fledglings of mine.
But I didn't think this day...
would come so fast.
There is more I need to do.
Lots more.
When you're in the middle of it,
up to your elbows in laundry,
meals, stories, teens....
you don't think about the end of it.
And suddenly....
It's empty.
I don't think I care for it much.
34 comments:
So beautifully said!
In no time you may come to the conclusion that we did. We loved our empty nest, but we were freezing and it was too empty. We made a new nest closer to theirs and now have the best of both worlds.
We work in TW often and will keep an eye out for Nate. xoxo from the banana-belt.
Toughest thing I've ever gone through. I feel for you so very much.
Aw, I'm sorry about the empty nest feeling. You wrote that out beautifully!
This is so poignant, Tauna. I am many years away from that day, so it almost seems like a dream. A lovely, clean and clutter-free, cabinet-full-of-food, dishwasher-empty kind of dream.
{sigh} Let me think about this for a moment. The silence. The clean. The silence.
Yeah. You're right. It sounds just awful. LOL Love you! Enjoy this season in your life!
Mine will be empty two short years from now, and I am SOOO not looking forward to it!
I'm at the beginning of this process and each time it just plain sucks.
Lucky for me I have about sixteen years ahead of me. Hopefully by then I won't need a walker at graduation!
Sending a hug your way today.
It has been about 10 years since my last one flew the nest and I remember thinking when he was on his mission that I didn't feel like I was finished with raising kids yet. That has faded and I am really enjoying our life more now. We were married VERY young and this seems like it might be our time to reconnect and grow old together, kind of like that song, "grow old along with me, the best is yet to be".
A beautiful post. God bless you.
That point seems a million years away for me. I'm going to enjoy every one of those million years.
That was beautiful and sweet and sad. And if your family is anything like mine, they'll be back soon and often!!
I cried, prayed and cried some more. I still do periodically. Sorry that I'll never have that back no matter what. You get other good benefits, but it's never like that again.
When it first happens it's hard but it gets better. Keep in mind they are not gone out of your life and that helps...it helped me anyway. Thinking about you sweet friend. Hugs
I does kinda leave a "hole" for sure.
All those things we thought drove us crazy, we suddenly yearn for.
But.....must admit.....after awhile the quiet and clean gets to be pretty nice.
But my door (as yours) IS ALWAYS open for visits and more messes and noise.
If you're lonely...drive to Reno and come stay with me while I babysit this week (tee,hee)
I echo the sentiments of Connie.
It does take some getting used to when all you've done is dedicate every moment to your kids.
Looking forward to the days when we relish the quiet, and organization, and extra dough :)
Have a good one!
Kerin
You put wonderful words together to describe a hard time in your life.
In two weeks Kendra and family goes back to HI and son leaves on his mission. Our youngest son is going to see me crying a lot...poor boy.
I remember feeling that way. A long time ago. After a while I not only got used to it but grew to love this part of the life journey. blessings, marlene
Beautiful post. I agree with you...sometimes I get caught up in this and wonder what I will do. I know I will go nuts without anyone to do something for. This empty nest feeling probably makes you want to take the grandkids (then send them back when they are tired). :)
btw -When is the wedding?
This is a good reminder for me, being right in the middle (or actually, still at the beginning) of it all. Sometimes I get very frustrated and tired, but I have to remember these days are precious!
Hugs!! I will be there before I wanna be for sure! My oldest is 16 and my youngest is 9, so less than 9 years and it'll be just me, alone. Ugh! I don't wanna think about it. I hope you get used to it and find ways to enjoy it, but also that you get lots and lots of visits, letters and phone calls!!
Hugs!!!
People thought I was nutz to have The Bella, when my other two were 14 and 12. They don't think so now!!!! I still have ten more years at least, God willing, and by then I should have lost the rest of my marbles and won't notice the empty nest thing, lol!
Sad, but beautifully put!
Very poignant.
I could really use an empty nest for today... or a week.
But I know I will hate it when it happens... 5 more years and mine will be empty too.
It must be bittersweet.
I've got a long time before that happens but I am already a little sad thinking that next year my first will fly.
I miss her too...She melts my heart!
I'm feeling for ya, we went through that as well, but you know what...it gets easier!!
Now it's just you and your hubby, and sista there ain't nothing better!!
I do love it when they come home and I'm completely enjoying my boy whose home for the summer.
Hubby's having a hard time sharing me HA!
I've got around 5 years left and I already get a little anxiety about it. But I know there will be good parts about it too, right? RIGHT????
You know, I swore up and down that it would never happen to me, the empty nest thing.
But low and behold, when #1 married and #2 had a steady boyfriend, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Luckily it didn't linger, it took no time at all to get used to the house staying clean, the fridge staying full and knowing where the scissors were at all times :)
This too shall pass my friend, good thing you have Ol' Blue Eyes by your side.
Oh my girl......you will learn to love this. I swear on my children, YOU.WILL.LOVE.IT!
For now, wallow a bit so the spawn feel sorry for you, then once you have them right in your clutches of pity, announce Sunday dinner at 5, make it tradition and then when the masses leave Sunday evening you will look at Howie and bless the stars that your house is empty.
I promise.
I know, It's really hard at first. It took us a while to learn to like it, but now we both enjoy having an empty nest. I think if your Howard was home more often it might not bother you so bad. Maybe you should start traveling with him and have the neighbors feed the chickens and cats. Cheer up, ((hugs)) Loves.
I'm dreading the empty days! Time seems to go so fast lately.
i cannot explain why there are tears streaming down my face all of a sudden, but i think i'll blame this post.
no really, very moving sentiments. i JUST had a little pow wow with my RS prez on Sunday, and i asked her how she did all the boosters & PTO mtgs & sports practices + games + tournaments + EVERYTHING work related & all the domestic stuff at home - not to mention callings. i feel like i'm constantly catching my breath & pulling my hair out.
she told me that the laundry will still be there when our kids are not, same with the dishes, and piles of mail & mountains of paper, and dust bunnies will still keep reproducing at exponential rates. our kids will move on. so she said to let the dishes stack a little, to ignore the laundry another day & instead BE in the moment with my daughter. she said anyone who judges me based on my home (its insides or outsides or both) knows nothing. for if they really knew me, they'd realize my heart is right where its supposed to be, with my family, supporting them in their moments.
...it brought such relief to my overburdened heart, and tears to my eyes. your post echoed her advice for me. so, thank you. i needed to remember such valuable advice from you two wise women.
when its time for my nest to empty itself, i want to look back & know that i loved SO much while the nest was full that I will despise it being empty. probably weird to look at it that way, but i figure if i've done my job right then i will desperately miss the buzz & hum & completeness my full nest has been.
...so...that means you've done it all correctly!!!! and that means you're my hero. just thought you should know.
LOVE YER GUTS!!!! ::hugs::
You have such a wonderful way with words Tauna! Every time I'm out watering my yard and I look in the trees and see our empty birds nests I will always think of your beautiful words here.
HUGS!!! At least we have wonderful technology and we can keep in touch daily with our family, but there is nothing like having them and the noise around you on a daily basis.
You're an amazing strong woman and someone that I look up to and adore more than you'll ever know!
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