When
Your Empty Nest is Around the Corner
Starting my family at 18 years old was a HUGE transition
in my life at such a young age. By the time I was 26 I had three precious
little boys. Once I became a mom my life was no longer my own. It was about
them and making sure they had what they needed and trying to be the best mom I
could be to them. I will be the first to admit I made lots of mistakes and if I
could I would go back and change some things, but the one thing I would never
change is being their mom. Louie, Christian and Elijah have been my life line
on the days when life was hitting me hard and my motivators when I needed to
make a change. Everything I did, every decision I made was about them. I find
myself looking back on the days when they were little and had school, football,
baseball, soccer and other school events and extra-curricular activities and
wonder where the energy came from to keep up with all of it? Then I realize
first I was much younger, but mostly it was the desire to give them a good life
and create memories of love and family.
Now, Louie is a father of two beautiful baby boys
himself. Christian is a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps experiencing
life and creating memories with his Marine brothers. Elijah, my baby boy, is now a senior in high school and will be starting college this summer. As I reflect on becoming an “empty
nester”, reality is beginning to set in and reveal itself. I know that in less
than a year ALL my “little boys” will be young independent men no longer
needing mom to provide for them. They will have strong wings and be able to fly
on their own. It’s a bittersweet reality but one that I am proud of because I
know that I’ve equipped them with the faith, strength, wisdom, and knowledge to
be good men and to seek God so they can continue to grow and become the men He
called them to be. Though, like their
mom, they may fall a few times along the way, I know that deep down they will
pull from their memory bank all the times mom fell but got back up and kept
moving, and will do the same. I may have my moments of sadness during this
transition but I take comfort in the fact that even though they leave the
comfort and safety of mom’s home, they will never leave the comfort and safety
of their Heavenly Father’s arms.
I write this blog to let them know how much I love them
and how much they mean to me. I will continue to celebrate their successes and
be there when they fall to encourage them to get up and try again. I know I am
not the only one going through this stage of life and I hope that those reading
this who are, will find comfort and reassurance in a job well done.
~Always a Mom~
