Love in the Empty Nest
I know the sadness is huge when you hug your little one, who grew up so quickly, goodbye for now.
You wonder how they are doing. Will they call or email to say hello, which of course would instantly make you smile all day.
Separation is change. Change is lonely and unsettling to say the least.
Mothers and fathers have been calling with feelings and questions. Good news is they are saying what is real for them. They want to know if these feelings are “normal”, how can they find support and how long will the tears fall, what will be meaningful for them now that parenting isn\’t filling their daily life?
They want to know how to connect with their children and not get so resentful that they feel left out. They worry about finances, health, marriage issues, their ill parents, their other children who are in the midst of growing up. They have regrets and they have dreams. The list is long with wonderment\’s. They want to know how to say what it is they want to be saying and not be punished for it.
All these feelings and questions are normal for sure. I began this web over six years ago when I too was heading into the empty nest and didn\’t want to travel the dirt, gravel, and newly paved roads, alone.
I deeply appreciate all of you who are curiously and courageously connecting with me and the community we are building here, on and off the web, www.emptynestsupport.com.
Thank goodness for telephones which have given me scheduled conversations during private consultations with parents across the country.
My inspiration today sounds simple, but takes practice. LOVE THE PRECIOUS LIFE YOU HAVE. We have detoured at times, falling into darkness for what we don\’t have. The paradox is , yes we need to feel and value our feelings of being sad, lonely , angry, disappointed, rejected, confused, disillusioned, left out, scared, betrayed.
And, we need to remind ourselves that FEELINGS WON\’T DROWN US. They are feelings, not monsters.
There are many parts to us that include feelings and include peace, happiness, gratitude, restoration, action, choices, forgiveness, new beginnings, beauty, and standing tall.
LOVE THE PRECIOUS LIFE YOU HAVE by reminding yourself what love means to you, what you love about yourself, what you love about someone you know, and what matters in your life on a daily basis no matter what other parts might be trying to ruin your life.
As you know, I am a strong believer in the creativity, passion, and insights that journaling provides. Write to yourself as a way to remember to LOVE THE PRECIOUS LIFE YOU HAVE.
Post a note in your bathroom, or by your computer, from your journal that surprised you as you saw it show up on your pages. There is a whole new world inside you, waiting to come out.
That world is filled with freedom and joy and you deserve to unfold it.
Happy New Beginnings,
Natalie
natalie@emptynestsupport.com
