Have you laughed at yourself in reflection of some of the things you did on the way to emptying the nest and while in it?
Last night, one woman said that it was not so funny, but after carrying the shipped boxes, shopping for more dorm supplies, meeting parents, college kids and navigating a new city as well as THE dreaded good bye, she knew she was sad, but handling the feelings that emerged, until BANG, She backed into a grey pole trying to leave the dorm for the airport. She said she felt so stupid.
Another parent talked about the bib she pound for pound layered by eating all night in bed. She had stains on her night shirt of peanut butter with chocolate, potato chips with ranch dressing and salted, buttered popcorn
In her blue suit, a woman said she was at the podium to speak in her corporate world . Her cell phone went off. She looked and it was her son. She took the call right there, completely forgetting where she was.
A dad told me he emailed his son every morning and not little hellos but long emails of questions starting with, ARE YOU…. until his son called him , left a LOUD message and said “dad ,maybe you need to see a psychiatrist for meds. ”
Do you have a funny thing you did on the way to goodbyes or after sitting in the silent house?
Branching out to you,
Natalie
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org