Several weeks have passed since we became an empty nest. We anticipated this event for quite a while but we really hoped it will never come.  It was wishful thinking for something that can’t be controlled or avoided.  We do get older and kids too.

Empty Nest Syndrome -a feeling of loneliness or sadness that occurs among parents after children grow up and leave home (Psychology Today, 2018).

I came upon the terminology and definition above as I was browsing through topics about being an empty nester.  I half disagreed with the above definition because, although I felt sad that my youngest left for college, I also felt excited that he moved on to higher level of education.  He is becoming a young adult!

I think, Merriam-Webster (2018), provided me with a more acceptable definition of an empty nester – a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home.

The prior week was filled with activities.  The children were home and all rooms were occupied!  Our precious grandchild even came and created much havoc to everyone’s delight.  She had so much fun that she had decided that home was “Mimi’s house” and she would be staying there forever!  The house lost one laughter the day that she had to go home.

Good times, we knew, can only last for so long.  Summer, approaching its end, saw one more child leave and move on to higher level of education.  Like us before, he is in the process of pursuing his dream and become a participating, productive adult in society.  We can only wish him the best of everything!

He looked so confident as he was moving into his new apartment.  He barely asked for help even though I was doing everything to offer whatever I can.  We moved furniture and personal items into a small bedroom. Mom helped with the arrangement but Dad had to sit at the side. I mustered all the effort that I can from looking smug since I was felt useless and unneeded.

The weekdays that followed were busy.  Work beckoned our full attention and we devoted our full time to it.  It kept us occupied.  We came home tired and retired early.  We were too busy working to dwell in an empty nest.

The weekend was just as busy.  Small house repairs and maintenance has been bugging us for the past several weeks.  We decided, that since we were already dealing with the repairs, to go from room to room and do preventive maintenance.  The timing couldn’t have come at a more perfect time!  Four truckloads of room clutter, damaged small furnitures, outmoded electrical wirings and appliances, tons of school paper, and old mattresses went to the dumpster.

The weekend activities have extended to doing do-it-yourself (DIY) projects around the house.  We have repainted the rooms, repaired toilet plumbing, and upgraded electrical lighting, so far, and there are more to be done.  It has helped, not only to occupy our time, but has also helped defer costs of repair.

I view our status of an empty nest from the perspective of achievement rather than loss.  The children have moved on and we have achieved our goal of rearing them responsibly.  It is far from over though as it will take some more time to finally wean them off.

We now look forward to taking care of our own personal needs.  Our presence and guidance will still be available to them but we expect to be less involved now with their affairs.