<p>I miss my daughter fiercely. My full house has dwindled drastically in the last year. From 4 to 2. My husband is very ill and moved to a care facility in Jan, then she left for the academy. My youngest and I ramble around without their constant presence. I would not let her know the extent of it (she knows I miss her-normal stuff) and I limit my contact. Most the time I wait for her to call, email me, etc. </p>
<p>I’ll adjust, I know. But in the meantime what are other parents doing to adjust?</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your husband. Can you do some volunteer work to fill up some of your free time? Sometimes helping others takes your mind off of what you are missing. I am also in the process of adjusting to my first son being out of the house and I find it easier to not think about him so much while I am at work. It is when I have nothing to do that it is the hardest on me.</p>
<p>So sorry sister… Sending hugs from inside this post. Speaking of posts. Check out how many I have. This must be how I adjusted. LOL Keep hanging out with all of us. Its free therapy! :D</p>
<p>No time for volunteer work right now. I’m up and at it from 5am until nearly midnight daily. Work full time, shuttle the youngest and visit & help take of my husband for several hours each day. Then its home to clean, shop, etc. So I am staying busy. Thanks for the suggestions, guess I just have a tired spirit today…</p>
<p>I lost both of my daughters last fall to college and thought I’d go out of my mind. I lived for calls and e-mails. And pictures were just about the greatest thing that could happen in my life. It was really tough even though I was so happy for both of them. Time marches on. I’m not even sure when it happened, but I noticed that not only was I not aching, but I didn’t sigh or tear up (let alone cry) anymore. Right now, I’d love to see either one of my daughters and I’ll be happy when I finally do. But I’m really and truly not going crazy missing them. Sometimes when they call, I don’t drop everything to talk to them. Instead I tell them that I’ll have to call them back later. I never thought that could happen. You WILL get to this point. </p>
<p>Try sending some boodle. She’s bound to call after the delivery. :D</p>
<p>In the meantime, I wish the best for your husband.</p>
<p>sistersunnie - Wow! I didn’t realize how much you are already doing when I suggested volunteer work. Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy. </p>
<p>Yes I do have a tired spirit sometimes, for example last Monday - I was so down, but I have been feeling better the rest of this week.</p>
<p>Keep hanging around CC and have some chocolate, that always makes me feel better. :D</p>
<p>I guess I get your share of the Merlot then, right?! </p>
<p>I know it is soooo hard when one flys the coop. My 2 are 5 grades appart - oldest left years ago - that first year was so painful. My depression lasted for months. Now she is graduated with a career of her own living a lifetime away from home. Somehow I got through the depression and have adjusted to her absence. It was so hard at first. Now I am trying to prepare for when my last leaves (she is a Sr in HS now). I smell changes in the wind of my life - and theirs! </p>
<p>Hang in there - it gets better every day. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. That is one I have not even begun to deal with and can offer no advise but for prayer. And you’ve got my prayers!</p>
<p>Sistersunnie,
I like anyone who doesnt like Merlot, I never understood the appeal.
Your spirit is tired for good reason.<br>
But it needs recharged.<br>
Find something small you once loved to do, before your life became so full. It must be something not connected with your children or your husband.
It can be as simple as sitting still in a rose garden or reading a fluffy novel cover to cover. Or challenging like a long hard run or the NY Times crossword puzzle.
Force yourself to do this, and dont feel guilty!<br>
It will refresh your spirit.
This is important for your spirits own health and welfare as well as yours and those who depend upon you.</p>
<p>I am sorry your husband is ill, I too will pray for him. And you.</p>
<p>LOL!! And whatever you do SisterS, keep a sense of humor! This is the best place to laugh at stuff sometimes. AND no merlot for you! We’re not cleaning up any messes. Stick to the chocolate. </p>
<p>WP2010Mom, bein’ a little hard on us Merlot lovers ain’t cha? Goodness!</p>
<p>I am so sorry about your husband. Just when I was feeling sorry for myself, you remind me how lucky I am. (especially since I have miraculously recovered from a 10 year allergy to wine!)</p>
<p>I have a truly empty nest. It is just me and Buster, the Wonder Beagle. Hubby left Tuesday for his ship in Japan. I am supposed to be joining him at Christmas. Older daughter is a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. and my youngest is a plebe at USNA. I am kind of wandering around wondering what to do with myself. For the first time in 20 years I can do whatever I want to do, now I just have to figure out what that is. So far I have signed up for Japanese lessons and pottery classes. I guess I don’t have any more excuses for avoiding the gym, so that should probably go on the shedule. Yuck!</p>
<p>It is hard when the teenagers clear out, isn’t it? They bring so much life into the house. </p>
<p>Please know that if you need to vent, this is a safe place to cut loose.</p>
<p>I agree about the distaste for Merlot (it stains the teeth), but I think you should go with a very nice chilled Pinot Grigio… dry, crisp and cold.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have a lot on your plate besides missing your daughter. I hope all goes well with your husband and your family. </p>
<p>I also get very excited to get the calls and e-mails and I can hardly wait.</p>
<p>My daughter went to USMAPS last year so I went through this last year and I agree with Momoftwins, that there will come a time that you don’t drop everything for their call and you say “I’ll call you back later”. When she went to USMA this summer, it started all over again, but I know I’ll get used to it again and I will also say “I’ll have to call you back” when I have something else going on.</p>
<p>Pictures really help and she has sent me a bunch, plus some that I’d been able to get off of their Memory Page.</p>
<p>I wish you the best and I suggest you try some Pinot Grigio because diet coke will eat at the lining of your stomach! LOL</p>