Patrick and Amber are house hunting in preparation for their marriage in October. I am thrilled that Patrick has chosen Amber. I couldn't love her more if she were my own flesh and blood daughter. I look forward to their wedding and watching them begin their life together.
It's funny, when your kids are little you just kind of imagine that they are always going to be around. Somehow, I forgot to factor in that kids grow up and LEAVE YOU!!! I didn't have kids for them to grow up and LEAVE ME! Now, don't worry, I'm saying this with a smile on my face. I didn't REALLY think that they'd be with me forever. But darn it, I wish they could be. Remember the 1980's show DALLAS? They all lived together with Jock and Miss Ellie, and I thought that was a wonderful idea. My dream is to win the lottery and build a family compound. It would have a pool, a tennis court, a horse barn and arena, a park and right in the middle of it would be a great big house with a huge kitchen and family room. Each child would have their own wing with their own kitchen and family room for when they needed to be alone. And right there in the middle of it all would be Grandma (me!) available for babysitting and chats over coffee. I know, I know, I've always been accused of being a Pollyanna, but darn it, I think it would work!
Emily has been living in Florida for several years and Sarah and Bennie have been married since 2005. Patrick was in Florida for college for two years and then lived here while he finished school closer to home. After college he got his own apartment. Austin was born while he was in Florida and he lamented the fact that he finally had the little brother he'd wanted his whole life and he wasn't getting to enjoy him. So, I told him it was silly for him to waste money on an apartment when we had two empty bedrooms sitting here. I pointed out that he'd have someone to do his laundry and cook for him if he moved back home and finally, the lure of his little brother brought him home to live again. I've been in heaven having him here. He's the son every mother wants. Everyone who knows him loves him. Quite simply, he's a joy to have around.
It's finally starting to really hit me that he is going to be leaving...like for good. He's going to have his own home. I'm thrilled for him, of course. I look forward to seeing him become a husband and father. It's as it should be and I know he's chosen the right partner. But man is it ever hard to imagine him not being here every day.
We won't really have an empty nest when he leaves. Austin is only ten years old and we have some real interesting years coming up with him (Lord, help me get through one more teenager!). But it's definitely going to be different around here. I stand by my statement that I didn't have kids for them to grow up and move away. I know a lot of people look forward to the day that their kids fly away from the nest. I'm not one of them. They'd better give me lots of grandchildren to make up for it!!!!
Hang in there with me while I work through my background drama! I'll decide sooner or later! I've wasted so much time fiddlin' with this today. So, PUZZLED seemed to fit for the moment. Who knows where it'll end up!
Another update: Beth like the Puzzle background, but this one is sooo me! We'll see how long it stays.
Posts
12 comments:
There's no place like home! invite them to dinner every night just so you won't miss them (wink). anyway, here's to more grandchildren!~kbear
ERIN GO BRACH
I would love to do the same. I love having my children around and rarely do. The grandchildren I see on special occassions and that's about it. I've only had the pleasure of babysitting a couple of times in all these years. My house is a true empty nest and I don't like it but feel I did my job as a parent so now they know how to take care of themselves and that is a good feeling. 'On Ya'-ma
My parents had it easy, the three kids all stayed in the same town for them until we moved away in 2000.
Our first is out of the next but the next two are growing roots in the nest, I think! ha ha
Awww. You've got some time to go before you're a true empty nester, so enjoy. I'm sure you'll have lots of family dinners so you can see everyone often!
I think your puzzle background is cute!
Hugs, Beth
that is my husband's exact dream! Letting them go is hard!
Just one word of advice--when you get that family compound make sure there is seperate air conditioning and heating in each wing. lol My daughter and I could have a fight over the thermostat. Cute entry.
I'm sure you'll have lots of family dinners so you can see everyone often!
I absolutely hated when my children moved into their own places! I think I'd prefer everyone having their own home on a sprawling 30 acres...walking distance. Really wouldn't want them to witness their daddy chasing me around the house...that's one of the perks of being an empty nester!
Debbie
You are very lucky to have had another chance to have him living at home. And you certainly have a lot of years ahead of you with your last one :o)
Ohhhhhhhh, we WERE separated at birth! For years I've been saying when I win the lottery, I'm buying a house someplace with a guest house in back, so the kids can be across the yard when they come to visit! As you know, two of mine live sufficiently close that we sometimes run into each other at the grocery store, and I love that!
I haven't been over to visit you in awhile....My mom has already warned me about the empty nest...I'm with you...they could stay forever....
I don't want "deafening" quiet as my mother said. YIKES.
Post a Comment