Oh wow--someone who totally understands! I've been a single parent for the past 12 years. My daughter and her baby girl, who was rebounding with us for a few months after a failed relationship, moved out in July and three weeks ago my son has moved out, preparing for a life in the military.
Friends ask me how I'm doing, what am I doing with all my spare time, and act as though I must be in deep grief. They're shocked when I tell them I've waited years for this! I love my kids (and my granddaughter) but it is time for their lives to begin. I had the day of introspection,too, and I came away from it full of joy. I can choose to do things that have been on hold for years or decide they are no longer important to me. This isn't a time for grief--it's a time for celebration of the kids being grown and independent and making their own lives. It's a time to celebrate that we made it--divorce was devastating to us. It's also a time for me to reevaluate and move forward, possibly in new directions.
I didn't say "whew--it's over" with sadness, but with a smile of satisfaction and one happy/sad tear trickling down my cheek as one l-o-n-g phase of life drew to an end and a door to an unknown adventure popped open just around the corner!
Congratulations, Bill! It was so great to read someone who really understood what I was feeling!
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