As the seasons change, so do our lives. Like the tadpoles in the pond, change is inevitable and constant. And while some changes are subtle, there are some that are more pronounced.Em and I are headed off to a college tour today. Sigh. I guess change is upon us once again as Em starts wrapping up her high school years. This is a big change for all of us--especially for Joe and I as we start facing an empty nest.
It's funny how I have always loved fall--it is my favorite season. But I have mixed feelings about the autumn of our lives. On one hand, I love that the kids are nearly grown and starting to live independent lives, but I think I'm really going to miss all the fun and excitement around here. Every so often we get a little glimpse of those leaves changing and we talk about what we'll do when both kids are at college. And while plans are great--reality may be a whole different thing. Sometimes it makes me sad.
So, off we go to two different campuses today--both of us excited to see if either of these schools will be her new home. I don't think it is much of a reality for Em yet that she'll be going to college soon, so this ought to be interesting. I'm expecting some jittery moments as we first step on campus--and a few battles. This is one of those big changes--for all of us.
16 comments:
I'll be thinking of you while I'm at WORK
oh my gosh you and joe alone empty nest style. This outta make for some great posts.
I, on the other hand, would move there if there were a place that had year-round the kind of weather we have been having the past ten days!
Good luck with the campus crawling. No matter how "with it" she may be, it will be an eye-opener for Em.
You'll all be fine. You adjust well and move on. You've done it before. Just enjoy the experience.
A couple of those golden fruits look like they'd fit nicely into the barrel of on of those huge air cannons that they use for punkin chunkin'. On them ought to be good for nearly a mile-long shot. But I'm thinking pumpkin pie. :)
Yup that empty nest probably will be some kind of difficult but you will make it through it all. Hope the college hunting goes well. Take care.
While I enjoyed my brief encounter with Fall, it felt good to be back home to a place you know you will always have sunny blue skies and that you can just walk out of the house in your tees and shorts and flip-flops anytime of the year without worrying about freezing to death!
Ah, Lin! You will definitely make it thru the empty nest thing. I know you, you will.
The quietness of an empty nest won't last long..the next season will be grandchildren,lol!
Is Em a Senior? I thought she was a Junior!
I have a suggestion ILLINOIS!!!!! LOL!
Oh how I feel for you. I took that change very hard, but I hope it won't be as difficult for you. It truly is exciting to see them begin their adulthood.
I hope she finds the perfect college!
I have actually thought about how you are going to handle the "empty nest" thing. Perhaps when Em goes off to college it will be time for you to pursue some classes. Weekends will certainly be quieter and perhaps for the first time in 20 years you may get to sleep-in on occasion.
With all your energy I have a feeling you will find ways to fill the space...
Even in places that don't seem to have seasons there are more subtle changes than the ones we see in Northern climes - I do so love Autumn...
They will always be your kids no matter what and be careful what you wish for; they might both be back living with you....
Me personally I had no problem adapting to the whole empty nest. Somehow I see it being a little rougher on you. With all the activity you always have going on there it's going to be a big change. For me it wasn't much different except they didn't come home at night and they weren't there to blame the messes on any more :)
Maybe Em will pick a college to go to where she can live at home! I have a feeling that you'll still be a busy empty nester and taking lots of weekend trips to visit your kids or going out on the town with Joe. I know it won't be the same but whatever you do, I'm sure fun will be a part of it. Plus, you still have Hobbes and Grace at home! :)
Maybe when Em goes off to college you can adopt a bunch of cats!!!!
Wow...hopefully you all get some great qt time doing this though. I agree with Daisy- fill the house with animals when she leaves:)
I don't know...I think I could live without winter very easily. Spring-Summer-Fall-Spring-Summer-Fall...yup...that's all I need. :)
Sometimes I look forward to an empty nest, sometimes I don't.
xo Catherine
Helene--Yeah, you can all wager on who's gonna kill who first.
Vanilla--Yeah, warm days, chilly nights. It is lovely. :) It was fun to see Em get excited about college--it was a good day.
Chuck--I love pumpkins. And fall. And changing leaves. It's my life changing that I'm not so keen on all the time.
Marg--It will just be another adventure--I'm sure we will adjust just fine. Or we will kill each other. :P
Veronica Lee--Aw, a little chill in the air is good for ya, pally! :) Don't you miss wearing sweaters? I like sweaters.
Melodie--I'm looking forward to the time in-between when we can take trips to visit the kids at college. IF we can afford them! hahaha!
Diana--She is a junior so we are getting a head start on this. You know how fast senior year goes! We went to ISU and Illinois Wesleyan today and liked both for various reasons. It was a good day.
Violet--Every change is a new adventure and I'm sure we will adjust just fine. It's always the anticipation that is hardest.
Grace--You know I will find something new to try--maybe I'll get some time to master Photoshop! I love autumn too--today was beautiful on those college campuses!
Pricilla--Years ago we put an addition on the house--a big family room. We left the bedrooms small for a reason. ;) I'm no dummy.
Ann--I like having the kids here and some activity so I will miss that. I am looking forward to not having all the expense someday. I'm getting a taste of that now and I sorta like that.
Beaded Tail--Em wants to go away to college and I get that. We looked at colleges today that were 2 hours away--which is nice for a weekend visit. Yeah, I can't wait to take some fall trips with Joe--I hope we can do that. Maybe I will foster some kittens when the kids leave. Wouldn't that be fun?
Daisy--Yep! I'd like to foster some kittens later in life. I don't think Grace would like that now, but maybe some years down the road. Good idea! Or I will just be a crazy cat lady! :B
Nancy--I'd like that--maybe to foster some kittens. Wouldn't that be fun?!
Catherine--Oh, but that first snow! I do love snow--not in March or April, but early on I do. I'm with you--I'm getting a taste of the empty nest and I like it--then I don't--then I do.....
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