On Filling Up that Empty Nest

Now, that I am settling into life as an empty nester, I am learning a few things:

1- I can now prepare asparagus and broccoli for dinner without hearing "Ew... do I have to eat that?"

2- I can clean the kids' bathroom on Monday, and it's still clean on Friday.

3- Laundry really doesn't have to be done every day. Who knew?

I am also learning that if I could roll the clock back a few months:

1- I would happily return to preparing spaghetti, macaroni and cheese and chicken nachos every night.

2 -I would happily pick up those clothes that always piled up behind the bathroom door, and scrub the tub every day.

3- There are worse things than washing, drying and folding clothes.

I miss my kids.  There.   I said it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting around moping. I'm up and at 'em every day, living my life, working hard and moving forward. I know this is why we raise our children... to eventually release them to become happy, healthy, independent adults who will hopefully live productive, happy, prosperous lives--- and live those lives in such as way as to have a positive influence on society.

 I get that. I also get this: I miss my kids.

Someone recently said to me, "But you wouldn't want them to live with you forever would you?" Actually.....I totally get the whole "Dallas" thing now. 

I do believe I could SO be Miss Ellie, happily moving through life with all of my brood living under the same roof. Each family would have their own wing, mind you (complete with their own bathrooms and laundry rooms!)  There would be total autonomy for each family, with no butting into one another's business. 

But, everyone could gather together around the dinner table at night and give thanks for the food (asparagus for me... mac 'n cheese for them) and for each other.

Does that sound old-fashioned and sappy in today's modern world where careers, and life's obligations and responsibilities are separating us relationally (yes, I know it's not a word, but it should be) as well as geographically? 

Well, don't expect me to apologize.  As Miss Ellie would say,"We may be right and we may be wrong, but we're Ewings (family,) we stick together and that's what makes us unbeatable." She also said (in the face of someone threatening her family) "Ray, go get the shotgun out of the closet." Atta' girl.

Wonder if Southfork can be rented for a family vacation?