Empty Nest

It's Thursday and the weekend is right around the corner. That is always such a good feeling. This has been somewhat of an overwhelming week with many things coming due all at once. Some days are harder than others. It's very different being in college at the age of 43. The students and faculty are always very encouraging but there is something about having the title of re-entry adult or nontraditional student that rings in my ears reminding me this is something I should have done in my twenty's. Of course I was busy raising babies in my twenty's and would have made a terrible student, but in the end all things come together and I can feel that I am being prepared for great things to happen. One of the reasons I decided to pursue teaching was because I knew that about the time I would be faced with a classroom of children my own children would be about ready to step out into the world. I thought it might ease the transition of the empty nest if I could pour myself into other kids. I still think it's a great idea and I feel very fortunate that things in life occurred in the order that they did so that I am now able to go to school and not have to work. It probably would never have happened if my employer hadn't of closed his doors when he did. I was always convinced that we needed two incomes coming in but that isn't the case at all. We've made a few sacrifices and tightened the budget here and there but the reality is we are getting by just fine without my paycheck and we are paying college tuition for three people. I'm really not sure how we are doing it but it seems to be working. This next year will be a time of transition for me. Erik will be leaving for grad school and Kristin will be following shortly after. How do parents handle when their children leave? I am very excited for them to move on. I can see that it will be a learning experience for all of us. It will be a time for them to grow and get settled in to their own lives and at the same time I know it will be a time for me to re-invent myself. I want to do things I have put off and beginning a new career will be very helpful in keeping me busy. I am very excited about the changes and yet there is a degree of sadness that resonates within that I just can't seem to shake. I know they will be coming home from time to time but everything will be different. They aren't even gone and I am already lonely for them. Maybe it wouldn't be so difficult if they weren't so much fun to be around. What's a mom to do?