Comments on: Emptying the Next – Part 1

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:32:53 +0000

Laura – After reading your comment I re-read the post – originally written 3 years ago. The tears still flow. Here’s to our shared experiences as mothers.

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:30:29 +0000

Dorothy – It’s a joy to share our connection as mothers in addition to the one we have as colleagues. Thanks for you comment.

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:29:03 +0000

Sandy –
You are one of the gifts that has come along with being the mother of this Boy. Here’s to us and our boys and all the future pedicures.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:11:22 +0000

Anne-
So beautifully written and articulated as only you can do. As I reply here now, the desk where I am sitting is literally dotted with a small but significant puddle of tear drops. Through your prose, I felt that “hug/hold” again for my own son when we left him at college in the fall of 2008. I am imagining doing it once again in another year as Kirk will be going off to start his life “without us”.

Thank you for sharing this moment with all of us.

Your friend and fellow mother of BOYS!
Sandy

By: Dorothy Dalton

Dorothy Dalton — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:16:28 +0000

Anne – lovely story. Brought back memories of both my trips with my kids to set up a new life, not just in university, but in a new country. My experiences were similar to yours. It’s a rite of passage for everyone. Beautifully recounted!
Dorothy Dalton´s last post ..How fast is too fast Speed interviewing

By: Laura Goodrich

Laura Goodrich — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:44:01 +0000

Thank you for sharing this with me Anne! You are a dear friend and this is a powerful post! Up until now, it was all excitement for me and for her! I loved college, and know she will too! Today, I’ll let the feelings be as they are! Raw! Tomorrow, I’ll be back on track! I trust there will be a back and forth, as you have noted, and that, that is the way it should be! Thanks again Anne!

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:42:20 +0000

Meghan – Thanks for dropping by. Your comment is meaningful in a way you may not know. The empty nest post was written two years ago. I revive it every year for those who are emptying their nexts (originally a typo I made often and decided it needs to stay as is.) Jordan is starting his Junior year. We are now selling our nest and considering where to build our next one. It’s been packing day here for weeks. You phrase “Packing up life is often done in allotted segments long before the change occurs,” Spot On. I will think of you as we pack today.I’d love to have your recommendations for packing music and will think of you even more joyously as we box up.

By: Meghan M. Biro

Meghan M. Biro — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:13:39 +0000

Anne, congratulations on this important transition. What a beautiful story! I love that you chose to drive for optimal connection time with your family. Packing up life is often done in alloted segments long before the actual change occurs. PS- Corny is good-have fun. So exciting for everyone…
Meghan M. Biro´s last post ..How To Recruit Game-Changing Talent- Part II

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:39:54 +0000

Dear Marion – I guess the butterflies will dance whether children leave home in France, the U.S., Peru or Mars. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom. The notion of tiptoeing is helpful and made me think about being there as a whisper in the background “We are here.” I am whispering now.

My husband and I are now facing into another chapter of “Emptying the Nest.” We are selling our home. It no longer makes sense for us to occupy such a large space and there is so much world to explore. We moved here 25 years ago for two years, and it is time to see what nourishment our roots will find in other soils. As I look around at all the things that hold memories – sports equipment, children’s books, magazine covers featuring the Red Sox winning the World Series, the original “blue blankie,” I am daunted by this question. “How do you pack up a life?”

Thank you Marion for sharing your story. It will be whispering to me as the next chapter in our lives unfolds.

By: Marion Chapsal

Marion Chapsal — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:42:21 +0000

Dear Anne, we don’t have the same expression in French like your “butterflies in my stomach”, but as I was reading your beautiful story, I also had dozens of butterflies having a ballet in my tummy.
My eldest daughter left the nest in an emergency, never giving me the chance to experience that smooth transition.
Since then, we had plenty of opportunities to mend and heal, and it requires time and tact.
You’re sharing a wonderful aspect of parenting, of educating which is the time to set someone free to open his wings and fly his own world.
Reminds me of Sting’s song, “If you love them, set them free”.
During the process,just like you did, though, take your time, be there available and here for help, do know when it’s time to tiptoe your way out…
I still have four kids at home, hopefully I will be more prepared for the next move…
.-= Marion Chapsal´s last blog ..Stuck by the Ash Cloud? Get Your Business Online! =-.