So the second kid was dropped off at college a few weeks ago. The oldest went about a week and a half ago. You hear for many years about the empty nest syndrome. To say the time went by quickly is an understatement. He is holding his kindergarten picture that he received when he registered. We blinked and here we are.
Fast forward and the drop off day was here. University of New Haven is lucky they get to see him everyday. He is a charger now and will be home only occasionally rather than every day. This one feels a little different as he is further away than the first one. He’s less accessible and more planning will need to happen to visit.
Ever since I can remember we have had to keep a whole gallon of milk in the fridge with an extra in the garage fridge. He is the milk drinker in the family and it was always consumed well before it expired. Once he left we realized we would probably need to get half gallons from now on and make sure check the expiration date. I open the fridge today and saw the half gallon. It wasn’t the sight that was upsetting it was what it represented. It meant Peyton wasn’t here.
I have many friends that are going through the empty nest syndrome with me. Everyone handles it differently and we are all mustering through. We love our little humans that we raised and they make us proud and we are going to miss seeing them all the time. But when that time comes to see them…. oh it will be wonderful. So here we are keeping the balance of letting them know we are here for them if they need but also supporting their new normal and new life they are creating without us.
Harrigan Tales 