Who Has Time To Think About An Empty Nest

June 1st, 2016...who knew how correct my mom and aunts were. The day our daughter started Kindergarten I was told to enjoy every moment because before I knew it, she'd be graduating. I thought they were being a bit dramatic but guess what, they are so right. In twenty-three days, our daughter will be a high school graduate. We are so proud of her.

She has dreams and goals, with a plan to reach them. She has a solid foundation preparing her for the journeys ahead. As she prepares and counts down to the first day of college I think about how many of her peers are counting down to the last day of high school. In a sense, both are a sign of their growing up and leave the parents thinking and reflecting.

I have some friends already grieving the loss of their child when they descend to college, the armed forces, or into an apartment on their own as they join the work force. I haven't thought about the "empty nest" as many refer to it. I've heard horror stories of parents sobbing in their children's beds for the first days after their departure. (My husband is taking side bets on my state of mind, but that is probably another blog, lol). I've heard of some counting down the days until they are "rid of" their kids. Yikes! I think I fall somewhere in the middle. 

At this moment and day in the year, I'm enjoying the memory making process. Today was her last senior photo shoot. This weekend she has her last dance recital as a high school student with plans of taking an adult class in the Fall. We have the opportunity to watch our daughter and her theater peeps perform on the Landmark Theater this weekend. I don't know what the end of August will look like but for now, I'm enjoying these precious and life changing moments. I'm not going to rush them by or overlook the gift they are to me. 

Rather than focus on the what will be an empty nest,
take time to enjoy your little birds while they are still home!
I know we are and these are special moments...