<p>Wow, cathymee, you’ve certainly got great kids who provide a great support system and I’m sure you are a great support to them, too. I hope each day that passes will sting a little less and that the wonderful memories of your husband provide you comfort. </p>
<p>As for the question, yes, DH and I are both so very happy with the relationship we share with our DD (24). She works out of state and, occasionally, when she comes to town for a meeting at the corporate office or at Christmas, we enjoy her so much! I will say, though, that we are always amazed that her bedroom can be totally destroyed within just a couple of hours of arriving home for a visit. Amazingly, she can clean it up just as quickly. She is funny, kind, smart and just a delight to be around. I love my girl!</p>
<p>We have a great relationship with our only D, who graduated in May from college. She had
left the nest officially the summer before Senior year and now she is working and living in the big city with her boyfriend. We text sporadically during the week, sometime silly things. We get together with her and her boyfriend for dinner in the city every now and again and maybe once every other month they come up and spend the night. We have found a balance in respecting each other’s boundaries. I make a conscious effort not to offer unsolicited advice. I see her now as a young woman trying to make her way in the world. Love being with her, she is fun, smart, can hold a wonderful conversation and I just sit back and listen and am so proud of the person she has become. So grateful for a wonderful child.</p>
<p>And yes, she too can make her room a disaster zone as fast a she arrived and clean up quick as she leaves.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry Cathymee. Your kids sound wonderful, but I imagine it was probably just as important for them to be around their family after such a great loss.</p>
<p>I’m so happy and surprised with my (mostly) grown kids. D just graduated last spring and is abroad and S is in college. We had some rough patches during the teenage years, with D in particular, but she has just turned into the sweetest, most responsible human being. I honestly didn’t think it would happen. OP’s story reminded me of the fact that my D went way out of her way to attend S’ high school graduation. She drove 12 hours the week before finals. No one expected her to, but she knew it would mean a lot to S. Two years later S did a ridiculously long drive for a half a day stay in D’s college town for her graduation. They know we have a small family, so we need to stick together (even though we’re pretty far apart physically right now). The two are very different, but they send each other things, and look after each other. It’s hard to believe that 6 years ago, I couldn’t leave them alone together for fear they’d kill each other. It’s good that kids grow up!</p>
<p>your description of your children dropping everything to be there for you made me cry cathymee, that is family. also so touching how you encouraged your son to return to school. I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband, may each day be a little easier.</p>
<p>I am very pleased with my 23 yr old who graduated in May, left the nest officialy, working and living several states away. visited recently and felt so proud of his independence and yet his connection to home. 21 yr old d will graduate this May, so she too plans to launch and move up North. Still have a 16 r old at home, so not fully empty nest yet. Glad to say oldest is coming home to visit for a family gathering this weekend and he and his sister and brother stay connected via Iphone, facetime, (now free on cellular too) my three kids remain close and enjoy each other’s company. really sweet. As a single mom it makes me feel proud to see what close bonds we all have.</p>