This summer has flown by!  Our daughter is back in college and our son leaves in a week.

 

This time last year was honestly very tough on me.  The concept of Empty Nest is very, VERY real.  When I was a little younger, the term conjured up visions of a happy, carefree time, much like those many years before we had children.  Then as the time came closer, I experienced a deep sadness.  I felt not needed.  I felt like I wasn’t “Mom” anymore.  For a person like me, who stayed home to take care of my children, I felt like I was completely losing my identity.  I told someone today, that there really ought to be classes or projects or arts and crafts activities or SOMETHING designed for a parent to weather this passage of time.  It is a rough transition going from the crazy schedule of sports, activities, dances… to an abrupt stop in the schedule as you knew it.

 

But here we are now.  We made it!  🙂  Our family had a wonderful summer together and I saw and experienced so many blessings on a daily basis.  We have entered a new phase.  For the first time, I felt a distinct shift in my relationships with my children, the wonderful privilege of having adult children.  We have had many wonderful bonding moments throughout the years, but this time the dynamic was different.  It involved a new maturity, trust, and sharing with each other.  And I am so excited about the future and the many experiences we will continue to share together!

 

Last month, while witnessing this….

 

 

I remembered this….

 

 

And this…

 

 

And this…

 

 

And this…

 

 

And this…

 

 

And this…

 

 

How blessed have I been?!  I look back on all of these images and I am no longer sad.  I am encouraged knowing I will have so many future pictures I will be able to fill into my precious memories.  My mom days are not over!  I am so looking forward to the future!