Moving On

[Saphire]

We are in the process of painting our oldest sons bedroom, who has long since graduated college. There is still stuff in here from when he was a boy. Stuffed animals, Disney Mickey ears with his name engraved on them, pictures, books and games. We bought tupperware containers and started packing things away. There has been a string of track team numbers that he wore throughout high school meets draped on these walls for years, and DH took it down tonight.
I don't think I will get used to my kids moving on, but I will adapt. I don't think I realized how very special that time was when they were all under our roof, safe and in our care. Enjoy that time with your kids!

 

[Pop Daddy]

life goes by so fast

 

[N&B'smom]

That must be pretty hard. I can't even imagine. Sadly, growing up and moving on are all part of life.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm sure it's hard.

I tell mine often, "You're growing too fast!". And my youngest tells me, "Mom, I gotta grow up!".

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - I hear ya.

For us, it helps that we moved to this house when younger DS was a senior in HS, so I don't "see" them everywhere I look around here. They both lived here off-and-on for several years.

Older DS's bedroom is now the guest room and younger DS's is the cat's room (yes, the cats have their own room!) Ironically, when we moved into this house, younger DS's bedroom had been the nursery and they had darling Winnie-the-Pooh murals on the walls. Needless to say, DS painted over them - but how cool would those murals be for the cat's room now?!

It's sad when the kids "move on", but really, it just changes the relationship. It evolves into something else. But you never stop worrying about them!

 

[4nana]

Awww Saphire sweetie

When we converted our DS's room into a guest room it was very bittersweet. Like yours, so many years of wonderful memories tucked away that pulled at the heart strings ~ from baby souvies to military college uniforms, lettermen's jacket, trumpet, awards and such. We packed up two trunks for him, incl. some books we gave to his 2yo son/our sweet lil DGS.

It is indeed a big adjustment for parents when our babies flee the nest and all the hustle bustle comes to a hault. However also a heart full of love and pride when we see what they've accomplished thus far in life. It's then we realize we must have done our job fairly well as we witness all our nurturing paying off and we can smile with pride.

In time we must realize also, it is a rejuvinating time for us, we can finally do some things in life we may have put on the back burner!?!?

We need to always remember,
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children, one is roots, the other wings.

This also reminds me of a clock our son gave us engraved with this poem:

‘Priorities’

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

 

[Jillpie]

‘Priorities’

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

This just brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for that. That is exactly why, 16 years ago, I decided to be a SAHM. I haven't regretted it for one moment. That is a beautiful quote.

To the OP, I could have written your post. My oldest son is a junior in college and even tho he's away (middle son takes over his rm every time he's gone), we still haven't cleaned off the walls of all his track numbers. They are everywhere. How do you do that? I guess I won't really have to think about it till he graduates, then I'll deal. But for right now, he's a new CM at Disney this semester!

Anyway, I sure felt everything you're feeling with this one, right there with ya.

 

[diz4ever]

OK - my DD's are 22 and 24 and are pretty much out of the house, too. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Good luck with the adjustment to your (and my) new time of our life.

 

[mrsdon]

I understand what you are going through
i couldnt sleep the 1st week my oldest moved out
I just know that it does eventually get better

 

[Patricia]

I can relate so closely to this. My oldest is out of college and moved all the way to Hawaii, so she is really, really gone. My second is a freshman in college and although she comes home once in awhile, I know it is never the same. Life changes too fast, sometimes before we are ready, and we have to just hold on and take the ride. I, too, long for the younger days....Guess I just enjoyed having my kids and raising my family too much.