Empty Nest

In a month's time, my oldest daughter (22) will be leaving our nest. I have had the last three years or so to prepare for this event, but I can feel the emotions welling up inside me as I come to terms with the inevitable.

I don't know what I am so emotional about. My oldest is a responsible and independent woman, exactly the way I raised her to be. Still, the reality of her living elsewhere is dredging up all kinds of emotions ranging from fear for her well being to a sense of loss.

In my mind, I know that this is only a part of becoming an adult. After all, I moved out of my parent's home, as did my siblings and husband. This is a normal part of growing up....I suppose. The difference I keep telling myself is that I couldn't wait to be on my own because my home life was terrible. The question I keep asking myself is "why would she WANT to leave when she has it so good here".

The answer to that question is plain and simple...it's time. It's time for her to expand her horizons and make more decisions about her every day life. With that comes confidence, wisdom, and strength. This is what I have wanted for her all along.

When she was a child, I envisioned her all grown up and highly capable of being in charge of her own life. I pictured a woman successful, a champion in life who mastered the demands of college and job hunting with gusto and flair. That vision has come to fruition. She is all those things and more.

So, now that the date approaches for my oldest baby to spread her wings and fly, I find my heart filled with both happy and sad thoughts. I ache for the chance to cuddle her once again, watch her sleep, and giggle with laughter at the smallest of joys. Those days are past now, but I am trying to grasp in my mind's eye the future for her.

Her future is filled with wedding plans, college graduation, becoming a nurse, babies, and buying her first house. All challenging and demanding things for sure. But I am confident she will approach all of these life moments with a surety that I helped instill in her. Life will go on as I continue to raise my last child and hope for her that she can be as successful as her older sister.

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future. ~Author Unknown