Even When Everything Changes, Some Things Stay the Same
By MrsJ
@SophiaMorros (5044)
Belews Creek, North Carolina
October 17, 2023 8:53am CST
The last few years have been filled with changes. Seasons of life have come to an end and other seasons have begun. For many years my life revolved around raising and educating my children. My goal was to launch them into adulthood prepared to be independent and forge ahead with their own lives.
The consequence of that is an empty nest. All four of my fledgelings have moved on with their lives. They’ve all been out of the house for a few years now but over the past year or so they have been spreading their wings and heading farther abroad.
Four children. One lives 30 minutes away, one between 3 and 4 hours away. One a 10-12 hour drive (depending on traffic) and one a full 24-hour drive (at least there is no ocean in the way).
They are all happy and thriving.
My life has gotten quiet.
So I work, and I read. I try to get adequate exercise and I sew quilts and costume local theatre productions. I camp and I hike. My days are rarely dull and boredom is never a problem.
Life goes on…but I miss the daily hands-on of parenting my progeny!
11 people like this
10 responses
@JudyEv (338657)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Oct 23
@SophiaMorros Nessie - I'd forgotten her name. She doesn't seem very old to be getting some grey.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
19 Oct 23
@JudyEv She's 6 1/2 and from what I understand about goldens that's not unusual. But, yes, she does seem way too young for that.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
Nessie is still around. She's starting to get some grey in her muzzle...but she still likes to pretend that she's a rambunctious puppy.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317004)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Oct 23
@SophiaMorros Yes, that is a good thing.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
I can't complain too loudly. I moved a long way away from my parents and they did the same to theirs. I'm glad that modern technology makes it much easier and more affordable to stay in touch.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50080)
• United States
17 Oct 23
It is nice to see you here. I know that you are proud of them. Job well done Mama.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Oct 23
congrats'n raisin' such a fine bunch 'f youngsters! i here ya'n the miles thingy. my eldest lives 'bout a 15 hr drive.
delighted yer still doin' the schtuff ya love to keep ya busy 'n yer heart not quite so heavy.
beautiful piecin'. i miss quiltin'. need to figure a way back to such.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82582)
• United States
17 Oct 23
Even though it's been many years since I've had an empty nest I can certainly remember how hard it was to transition from being a busy mom to having a quiet house.
I'm happy to see you here and glad that you have interests to keep you busy. Hope you'll continue to come here and chat.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82582)
• United States
18 Oct 23
@SophiaMorros time goes by just too fast
One minute they're little and the next they're adults. I don't think any mom is ready for her birds to fly the nest
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
I've always known that they would grow up and move on without me. That's how it's supposed to work. Somehow it still managed to sneak up on me!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217891)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Oct 23
@SophiaMorros Yeppers. Me too.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
We make an effort to keep in touch, but I really miss the regular "drop-ins" when they were all closer to home.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79362)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Oct 23
First, let me say you are terribly lucky to have those children and not too far from you. I have two stepchildren and they live far from me one in Latvia and one in the UK. I am alone day to day and keep myself busy with writing online and my two cats, You sound like you have a pretty full life so good for you,
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
I am VERY fortunate that modern technology makes it easier and more affordable to keep in touch. I moved 1000 miles away from my parents when I got married. Long-distance phone calls were expensive. Now we can (and do) video call regularly without adding anything to our current internet or cell phone bills.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12912)
• Ireland
17 Oct 23
@sophiamorros My wife suffers terribly from empty nest syndrome. We see the two boys whenever we want but the girls live in England and Scotland. But we have our youngest with us and she’ll be with us forever - disability - and it’s just so great having her.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
The two that are still in North Carolina we see reasonably often and we try to make sure we video chat or voice call the two that are further away. I'm very thankful that modern technology has given us options we didn't have 30 years ago. I don't miss long-distance phone charges at all!
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16576)
• United States
17 Oct 23
You did your job well as a mom, preparing your children for adult hood. I can only imagine what the transition is like from being with your kids to having your kids move on in their lives.
I am glad that you have hobbies which bring you contentment. Have a blessed day
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
I'm proud of my children and thankful that they are all launched and able to make their own choices and decisions. I just miss having them around!
1 person likes this
