Adjusting

Karen says:
August 24, 2011 at 3:04 pm
My summer has been wrapped up with getting my 3rd child ready for college. We just dropped him off at WSU last week. I managed to make it home without sobbing but my heart literally feels as if someone has ripped off a piece and I have left it in Pullman! I agree with many other commenters that this is a very bittersweet time. I know he needs to go but he has been near me for 18 years and now he isn’t. He has however called every day and we have talked more on the phone in the last 5 days than we ever have before!

The house is so quiet now with only my last daughter here and she’s in 10th grade and getting very independent. My other 2 go to college in Seattle so they are closer and we see them a couple times a month. I am learning to enjoy them as adults and trying not to “parent” them too much. That is a tricky transition too!

I like the comments to treat yourself gently and nap when necessary…that is definitely true! Slowing down is also just a natural part of life. All the rushing to do and go and accomplish somehow seems less important as I get older. Spending time appreciating life and my family and friends seems more important.

I hope that you will come to find a good balance for you, family, work , quiet time and hopefully inspiring all your blog readers with your stories and insights. thanks

I seem to write more when I am inspired by someone to write! this was in response to Stacy's blog again. she is adjusting to her oldest leaving for college and asked for advice on coping. I hope she continues to blog, I would miss her like a close friend...

Growing

It seems like a natural human activity, watching things grow. We all like to see a garden grow from tiny seedling to bushy greens to flowers or vegetable. There is a fascination with watching a house being built, or a new store. We can't wait to see how it will look when it's finished. So it makes logical sense that we love watching our children grow! But not only our children but others. I think that is one aspect of Girl Scouts I never thought of before. How privileged I am to watch them grow and to even help a bit. That is partly why I feel sad when they don't rejoin, I am missing out on watching them grow.
There is more to write on this I am sure but I have to go sew Sean's robe which is kind of like growing something too!