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Empty Nesters, well not quite

Yet another landmark in the life of Rhodes has occurred.  We watched our second son, Jack, graduate from High School.  This week we will watch our third son graduated from Middle School.  Three of our babies, and I use that term very loosely-- as they are all over 200 lbs and over 6ft tall, are growing into men.  My heart pitter patters at the thought of my two oldest, out of my sight, living their own lives, making choices without checking in--- wait I almost just threw up.  Yes, that is how I am feeling. Proud, excited, terrified, and sick to my stomach.  Strange mix of emotions and feelings, I realize.  I cannot be the first parent to be both excited and sick at the prospect of babies moving thousands of miles away. Right?

So two of our angels are flying from the nest.  We won't exactly be empty nesters, we will still have three at home.  I guess in a way we have it easier than many who go straight to the empty nest stage of life.  In fact our lives which have been very teenage centric, are reverting back to a stage of life we have already experienced.  Now we are going to be focused yet again on all things elementary school.
We will still have a teenager in the house, thank goodness-- but I must re-immerse myself in elementary school life. I am VERY out of practice.

There was a time when I was at every volunteer meeting.  I was baking for the bake sale, directing traffic at drop off, raising funds for computers and PE. That seems like a billion years ago. I feel compelled to jump in to the mix once again, to benefit the community my little guys are in.  I enter the fray with more wisdom.  I am after all the "older mom" now.  I have no desire to make buddies, and be the most popular Mom at the table.  There was a time when my closest local friends sat around those tables with me, and I love those women still.  Now, I have little patience for bickering, and politics.  I am better prepared to take on only tasks I know I can accomplish without stressing myself out.  I have learned that every effort big and small makes a difference. I do not always have to bite off the biggest project to be helpful.

So pray for me friends. I will need it.  What ever season of life you find yourself in, I hope you enjoy every moment. The good, the seemingly bad, the actually bad, and the wonderful-- it's all good stuff.


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