It’s Mama……Empty Nesting
In 10 more days, I will officially be an “empty nester”.
And, while I am not even sure what that actually means…what I do know is that my nest will never be empty. The love I have for my babies will travel with them wherever they go..
And, I believe theirs for me does the same. In fact, I count on it
I wish I could tell you that I am delighted for this season in life where I (and my husband, Ian) are free to do whatever we want, whenever we want, for as long as we want, but that is not how I feel and yet, sadness is not my friend either
Moreso, I have a mother’s resolve and a growing understanding that while the daily tasks of raising my children may be over, the task of “being” their mother remains. And, my mother’s heart’s will go with them every day for the rest of my life.
Yes, I confess to being snot-silly-weepy some days when I think back over beautiful pregnancies, first days home from the hospital, first days of school, sports, gymnastics, Boy Scouts, Brownies, riding bikes, skinned knees…you know….all the things that go hand in hand with bringing life into the world and watching as that life finds itself and its way in the world
And yet, they are ready to walk on without my physical presence. I understand this truth. But, also true is that where my body may not be, my heart will
I believe in my children. Not that they will have perfect lives but that in the imperfections that will come, they will remember who they are, whose they are, and that they will keep growing into who God knit them to be
They understand that joy will come with suffering, beauty will come from ugly, and life is a hodgepodge of many things
I believe they understand that they are to serve, give, love, and work hard. They are called to find honor in their choices, admit to their mistakes, and be honest with themselves above all else
And, that they will hold fast in their hearts this truth…they are loved beyond measure by their Mama
And they bless me in return by laying down their love for me in solid measure
People laugh because I keep so much of their “stuff” but I make no apologies because I know that someday, their “stuff” will foster memories in their hearts in ways which I am no longer able…
“You have been my North Star and guiding light as I make my way through this life”
“My intelligence is your intelligence, my kindness your kindness, and my bravery your bravery”
“All the love I have for you from unconditional to earned love will never go away and I want you to know that”
“I remember scanning the crowd (at the Airman’s run) and looking for you. I wanted to see your face because I knew you would be the proudest of me and you were just beaming like I knew you would be – that is a moment I will cherish forever”
“I have been blessed with the best mom with the best heart”
“You got me…simple as that”
“Thank you for your prayers that have saved me throughout my life”
“You are my best friend”
“ILYAOYDC”
“ILYAOYSC”
“Love you. Hope you have a great day”
“Of all the Mama’s in the whole world, I choose you”
“I look like you…”
“You have a pure heart”
“You always look out for others and have the most precious heart and courage”
“Thank you for believing in me”
“You are my sunshine”
“Let’s travel somewhere together”
Words I carry every day in the deepest places of my Mama’s heart
And I thank God for this season and every season up to now
And, especially for all the wonderful seasons to come
Always with them….
ILYAOYMC,
Mama
“I am nothing special; just a common woman with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life…But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”
– The Notebook