Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Empty Nest?

Our youngest has just moved to Kalamazoo to attend college there. She left early to find a job and get settled for the summer/fall season. It wasn't like she was home much, whether it was out at a friends, work, or at school. I won't miss telling her "constantly" to pick up her things, or clean her pet rabbits cage, but I guess we were not entirely ready for her to go so far from home. I wanted her to be more prepared, save more, get the job first, and then move, but that's a cautious parent talking. Not her, she wanted to go now. I know it sounded exciting and seeing her friends go off to college has made the last two years going to college from home seem rather dull. I hope it goes as well as she "plans" it will. As for Steven and I, it 's hard. Silly really, since it wasn't like we were that involved in her daily life. I guess it was passing by her room, sort of empty, and well "clean" for once. We plan to paint it this weekend. I will be moving her things to the slightly smaller room across the hall. I had always planned to make that room she had my craft/sewing room when she left. We had been talking about it for some time, but it feels bittersweet now. She wanted me to switch the rooms before but I wanted to wait, again maybe because a part of me associated this with her leaving home. It has been over 30 years since Steve and I have lived "alone" and the house seems way too large, and a bit too empty right now. This year has been so busy everything changing, some good, some not-so-good, but it seems it is all happening too fast sometimes. I barely recuperate from Steph's wedding, losing my uncle, finding out my youngest brother and his family is moving to Indiana in June, to this. I know life is all about change, but lately it feels like I cannot catch my breath it has been happening so much, so fast.... For now I just want it to slow for a bit, and the only change I want to deal with for a while is what color to paint her old bedroom, but that may take me a little time.

2 comments:

Stef H said...

such a big stepping stone for all of you! but it's time and you will be fine. now go make that your craft room and have a ball!

Terri said...

I hope it works out well for Kim. It will seem strange visiting and not see her popping in and out with her friends. So I can only imaginge it will take some time for you and Steve to get use to it.
Can't wait to play in the new craft room!