That's one thing I hardly ever feel unless I'm exhausted and have nothing left for the day which usually happens when I've chased Baby M around the house on our full days together. Let me tell you following a 9-month-old around at my age is doable but it will leave you exhausted.
I can't think of a time in my life I've felt empty. I never felt empty when I was growing up and nowadays, there's always something going on with people living here or calling and texting and then there's the fact my mind never shuts down with all the thinking and the stopping of thinking LIKE THAT. Empty is not a feeling or a situation around here.
My house is full of people and too much stuff so, no emptiness there. My life is full of people and activities so, no emptiness there. My nest isn't even empty anymore. And that's the empty I wish I had.
I LOVED my nest in its empty time. There was never too much noise or too much mess or having to plan meals for more than 1 or 2 or having to consider someone else before doing anything. I LOVED it that way.
Empty is good when it comes to my nest. When the nest is empty, I get to decide what to do and when to do it. No one is hovering over me to offer unsolicited advice or opinions. When people come over it's great because you know they're going to leave. Of course, this is much easier when they only live 10 minutes away. It's not that easy when the one who lives 8 hours away leaves after a visit.
Yes, I miss my empty nest. And was ever so hopeful to have it back in another month or two. Until teacher daughter decided she'd like to move back in for one year while her BF finishes training in VA or TN for his new job. (STOP TIMER)
My nest may never be empty again.
I miss it.
I'm not ungrateful that we are a close-knit family and enjoy being around each other. There is no need to hand down the mom guilt trip (not that I would anyway since I only like having people around because they want to be not due to feelings of obligation) because none of us ever feel forced to spend time together. Our family genuinely enjoys spending time together. I appreciate it very much especially when I read the horror stories of those moms who don't have this with their adult kids. In my naivety, I thought everyone had what we have. They don't. There are moms out there who are drowning in a vast, dark, deep ocean of total emptiness.
I have no answers for them other than strongly suggesting they seek help before they drown in the emptiness. I just can't imagine being so devoted to my children that I depend on them for my happiness. Do y'all think that's unfair to the kids? I do.
So, yes. I miss my empty nest. It's messy and noisy and crazy around here nearly every single day of the week but I'll take it. Because the emptiness that some moms feel is a dark empty I hope I never experience.
I can't believe I'm getting this post up on Friday. Ha! This post is linked to Five Minute Friday. The prompt this week is: Empty.
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