Nestling in my Empty Nest

I  found one. I live in one - an empty nest. Maybe you do too?

A momma bird perfectly crafted a safe haven for her babies branch by branch, twig by twig for as long as it was needed and for as long as it lasted. This nest was never intended to last for very long. Neither was my nest. Like that momma bird, I worked hard to craft my nest over time. I strived to lovingly create a home for me...my husband...and for our offspring. I built it piece by piece, day by day, actually minute by minute. I poured myself wholeheartedly into it. I gave my all to it. I'm certain you did too.

After all, acquiring an empty nest was the grand plan all along. You know that. We were all fully aware our nest would become empty one day. That one day initially felt quite a way away. All's great and predictable when one day is way beyond our grasp and almost inconceivable to attain. It creeps up on us ever so slowly but ever so surely. Some of us find it especially challenging to welcome that empty nest when that one day fills all our todays.

What did the momma bird, who painstakingly weaved her nest, feel as she had to push her babies out of her nest? She knew there wasn't another option. We know that too. From the day of birth for baby birds and for our babies, their destiny is to "fly the coop." Some birds have to be pushed out. Some bravely leap out without any prodding. These daring souls may feel "a little too big for their britches." Even when both types can give us reason for worry, their independence was the ultimate goal all along. We may need a gentle reminder of this every now and then. This is what we most wanted. This is what we were striving for day by day and year by year. We never would dispute that if asked. It's just that reality in practicality is sometimes a tough pill to swallow.

You may be approaching this season with some misgivings. That's normal and that's ok. A better approach may be to stop and truly assess the heart of the matter. Is that empty nest necessarily a bad thing? Is it something to dread? It doesn't have to be. It should't be. I don't want it to be for me or for you.

I hope you share some of my feelings of optimism. I have found many treasures in my empty nest that I would be honored to share with you. I would count it a privilege to go on this journey together.

Did the momma bird have as many questions as I did when it was time for her babies to fly? Did I teach my boys all they needed to know? Did I adequately equip them for the life skills they would most need?

Will they survive? Will they thrive? Will they land safely after their first solo flight?

Will they miss me and come find me again in my empty nest?

I have high hopes. I hope you do too!

Be encouraged fellow nester.

I've found myself in my empty nest.

How in the world can this be?

Each year has flown by ever so fast.

It's time to let my babies go free.