Getting over the 'Empty Nest Syndrome'

great_lakes_mom
Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:11:18 +0000

Late to school, you’re an inspiration. I’m hoping I can keep your level of resolve in this process. It is different for those of us who are single. My emotions vary between feeling quite bereft, with no family for thousands of miles aside from one daughter in a school an hour away. Her twin is in S America, my son arriving in China in a few hours for a year. All my energy has centered on raising them, financial efforts have been concentrated in their direction. What is left? Driving the hours home from my extra summer job last night, I cried at various intervals.

I’ve cried many times over the years. Living with split custody, I had many sad Friday nights as they left my house for a week, uprooting everyone’s life. And then chafed at the restriction for a short time as they came back again a week later. Transitions are always hard, and not my forte.

Today, as many days, I am quite happy. The silence is blessed, interrupted by calls from friends. The house is getting cleaner and cleaner, mine alone to organize and keep in control. I email the D on exchange, talk with the S in an airport on the way to Asia.

I vary between thinking, I do this every week, what is the big deal? And, looking at the unwashed high window my son cleans every year, and think I’m IT now, how in the world? Hold friends close, find other ways to nurture. My mom called, and I’m planning a long overdue visit to help her. I’ve held a disabled friend at arm’s length due to busyness. Lots of need for mothering in the world and finally, for myself as well.