How do you know the right thing to say that tears my heart out? My kids have grown and flown, the oldest (to BedStuy, now in Kingston) fifteen years and the younger eleven years (to Houston, back local for the past two years) both with kids of their own... and your story made each separation fresh again... I am not ok, but will be in a few minutes when I stuff my heart back into my chest... I miss the noise most of all...
Because we are still human (AI can't take that away from us...yet!) and many of us have shared experiences as we go through life's milestones. It's like, why do the tears start flowing every time I hear a kid sing at a graduation? It just hits the right chord every time.
Beautiful essay. I’m 8 years out from the first leaving home and I imagine it’s gonna be a shock to the system! Midlife is much messier than I expected!
Funny you use the phrase “architect the future”, as if there is any sense of certainty in such an endeavor.
As an architect, I know how brutally contingent and twisted the development, design, and building process ALWAYS plays out. Indeed avoiding the surprises and conflicts of the design and construction process is why I jumped into a position as a planner this month.
Sounds like life! Brutally contingent and twisted. Yes, midlife is very messy. Very very messy. Also dealing with elder parent issues on the other side. Sometimes it’s all too much.
Our youngest turns 18 early next year, around the same time as our second oldest daughter finishing her university degree. I anticipate them both moving out next year and I feel like I’ve been subconsciously been looking into moving to cope with them leaving.
I could even imagine myself renting out our house and living out of one of those fancy converted vans for a time. 😆 (perhaps anything to not be in a home with no kids in it 😬)
I actually don’t think I would mind an “empty” apartment because there always seems like there’s a school break. Also, I fully expect one or more of them to move back after graduation 😂
Also, I can’t imagine cooking just for hubby and I….is that silly? My mum’s cooking is her love language. I can imagine myself still cooking extra and putting it in the freezer for when they visit, so they can take meals home. 😆
This is a poignant time to be a parent. Thank you for sharing this time...and as a person who has read your blog for a long time, its wonderful to see what engaging women your children have turned out to be! I know this won't stop the tears.
So many thoughts, all valid. It's a good time to take it slow and contemplate, since summer is finally descending upon us. A good time to just enjoy the moments.
And the art, oh, she captured the feeling of childhood really well there. I can see your children must have such a happy one :)
And now I got to get my hands on some strawberries for that recipe!
Thank you Rachel. Yes, there is something captured in that painting that I love. June was/is a wild ride and I hope the rest of summer is uneventful. I hope you are enjoying yours.
How do you know the right thing to say that tears my heart out? My kids have grown and flown, the oldest (to BedStuy, now in Kingston) fifteen years and the younger eleven years (to Houston, back local for the past two years) both with kids of their own... and your story made each separation fresh again... I am not ok, but will be in a few minutes when I stuff my heart back into my chest... I miss the noise most of all...
Because we are still human (AI can't take that away from us...yet!) and many of us have shared experiences as we go through life's milestones. It's like, why do the tears start flowing every time I hear a kid sing at a graduation? It just hits the right chord every time.
Beautiful essay. I’m 8 years out from the first leaving home and I imagine it’s gonna be a shock to the system! Midlife is much messier than I expected!
Funny you use the phrase “architect the future”, as if there is any sense of certainty in such an endeavor.
As an architect, I know how brutally contingent and twisted the development, design, and building process ALWAYS plays out. Indeed avoiding the surprises and conflicts of the design and construction process is why I jumped into a position as a planner this month.
Sounds like life! Brutally contingent and twisted. Yes, midlife is very messy. Very very messy. Also dealing with elder parent issues on the other side. Sometimes it’s all too much.
Our youngest turns 18 early next year, around the same time as our second oldest daughter finishing her university degree. I anticipate them both moving out next year and I feel like I’ve been subconsciously been looking into moving to cope with them leaving.
I could even imagine myself renting out our house and living out of one of those fancy converted vans for a time. 😆 (perhaps anything to not be in a home with no kids in it 😬)
I actually don’t think I would mind an “empty” apartment because there always seems like there’s a school break. Also, I fully expect one or more of them to move back after graduation 😂
Hahaha that’s so true.
Also, I can’t imagine cooking just for hubby and I….is that silly? My mum’s cooking is her love language. I can imagine myself still cooking extra and putting it in the freezer for when they visit, so they can take meals home. 😆
I figure we will eat a lot of leftovers and only cook just a few nights a week!
Oooo I like the sounds of that!
This is a poignant time to be a parent. Thank you for sharing this time...and as a person who has read your blog for a long time, its wonderful to see what engaging women your children have turned out to be! I know this won't stop the tears.
Beautiful writing and beautiful children ❤️
❤️🫶
So many thoughts, all valid. It's a good time to take it slow and contemplate, since summer is finally descending upon us. A good time to just enjoy the moments.
And the art, oh, she captured the feeling of childhood really well there. I can see your children must have such a happy one :)
And now I got to get my hands on some strawberries for that recipe!
Thank you Rachel. Yes, there is something captured in that painting that I love. June was/is a wild ride and I hope the rest of summer is uneventful. I hope you are enjoying yours.
Your recipe looks so good! Saving it for later!