Empty Nest

I am the youngest of four children, so it is not a surprise to say that my parents were kind of sad when it came time for me to move to college. All of us kids were super involved in high school and so my parents always had somewhere to be. The good thing was, was that it was sort of a fading in and fading out sort of process that made having an empty nest a little easier. At first it was only my oldest brother that had activities for my parents to attend. Then, soon enough, all four of us were always doing something at the same time. It got crazy for my parents but they loved every minute of their busy lives. Then, my oldest brother went to college, and soon after my second brother left. The activities were becoming less and less with just my sister and me at home. Then my sister left and my parents really only had my events to attend. Then, I finally left home. My parents were sad, but they were sort of eased into it which made it so much easier, i think. But, who can blame them? It would be really hard having at least one child in the house for over 28 years, and then having them all be gone. Despite my parents sadness, they have definitely enjoyed this time of aloneness. Plus, they have two grandchildren now who live close by, so with all us children visiting when they can, my parents are just fine being empty nesters.