LEAVING THE NEST

 

In March 2020, as many families experienced, our 2 oldest kids ended up home from college because of the COVID-19 quarantine.  

This meant from March through June, we had all 5 of our kids under one roof.  

Just like old times.

I know that COVID-19 has caused serious harm and devastation to many, physically, emotionally, and financially.  I am not going to minimize that. 

However, one blessing of the quarantine for me as a mom, was knowing all our kids were safe at our home and just being able to enjoy our family like we use to be.

Then in June, our oldest left the "nest" to start her new grown up life up in the Twin Cities.  

Now this week, our 2nd oldest will be leaving the "nest" to start his junior year at college up near the Twin Cities.

I'm afraid my "mom" muscle has weakened over these past months.  I got use to having everyone around.  

When Abigail left in June, it felt just as hard as when she left for college as a freshman.  I am sure I will feel the same for Stephen as he heads out this week.  Like we are starting over getting use to having our older kids live lives off on their own.  

I am happy they are healthy and able to start finding their futures.  Of course, that is what I want for them.  

But it's also hard to get use to this new stage of our family life.  I felt like I was starting to hit my comfort zone before COVID-19, and now I think I am going to have to learn letting go all over again with our #1 and #2.

Then next fall, I will have to learn for the first time what it will be like to not have our 3rd child, Lydia live at home as she will go off to college in Fall 2021.

Maybe by the time the boys are old enough to have other living options, it wouldn't be as hard for me.

Oh, who am I kidding?  I think that's just part of being a mom.  The lesson of loving but letting go.

So next week, we will be back to a family of 5 in our house: Lydia as a senior in HS and the boys in 4th grade.  

I guess that still is a pretty full house...