My 20-something kids left this morning after two weeks of vacation. Our daughter arrived a week earlier, our son on his 21st birthday a few days before Christmas, and we’ve enjoyed a wonderful long visit. We shopped, read books, watched movies and Netflix (have you seen The Crown?!), took a two-day history tour that included Harper’s Ferry, Gettysburg, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. We played with the cat, shared opening presents and making meals, and really enjoyed each other’s company.
And now the house is very quiet.
When we lived in WI, we could get up to visit them at school pretty easily. We didn’t hover, but could pop up for an event (concert, shopping). And being closer, even though we didn’t see them except every few months, somehow made it easier to be absent from them.
When we lived in Florida, I knew they would come for the beach and sun and escape from the winter cold of the upper Midwest.
Now, they just feel so far away and time stretches so long between visits.
And this is the way of things. We raised our kids to know Jesus, to be strong and independent, to be able to tackle problems with heads on straight. To grow to need us less. So we did it right. And it’s hard, because they’re great people and I really like spending time with them.
So I’ll choose to focus on the fun we had together and I’ll plan for our next visit northward. Who knows when, but we’ll be visiting great people!
Sunny with a Chance of Clouds 
Greetings, I sure know the feeling. It is REALLY REALLY quiet around here. Not sure I wnt to clean it all up and accentuate their absence!
Blessed New Year in your New Place!
MAry B
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SO GLAD you had a good visit! You will see them soon! Meanwhile … yes that part is tough. I haven’t seen my Tom since a year ago October. 😦 I probably won’t see him til I am able to go up to the Northeast.
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It’s hard to live so far away, isn’t it? Hope you are well.
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Thank you! yes it is! I am doing ok, tomorrow I start a new job PT at McDonalds, pray that it goes well! My first week is Wed-Thur-Fri 8-3 and I feel a little overwhelmed!
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Sounds good. Will pray for you!
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thanks Peggy!
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Dear Peggy,
Amen! I was just thinking about you .. about Audrey and Jacob heading North .. about all that the four of you have done.
Your post is right on.
My take: it is not busyness that helps .. rather it is passion poured into relationships .. and variety .. I’m really looking forward to sharing tomorrow. Audrey studied WWII and the Civil War .. has she studied the American Revolution? Will she take any more history classes this Spring? Can’t believe how much you four packed into your 2 day “history” trip.
Sure do love you! Mom
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Peggy AND Aunt Nancy –
So nice to see a post from Nancy! It won’t take the place of missing your kids (I know, I miss mine too and they are closer) but let’s pick a time in the next few months when we can get together. We are so close that there’s really no excuse.
I’ll send an email and we can check our schedules. So glad you went to Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry – two of our favorite places and places that we’ve taken our kids when they were in college.
Check out the Family Letter Blog in the next few days. I have been so busy at work and with my mother’s health for most of the time from September to December that I have completely neglected my blogging.
But I have a new idea for how to revitalize the Family Letter Blog.
Happy New Year!
Love Kathy/Kalen
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Can’t wait to see what your blog plans are! And yes, let’s get together in the next few months! Happy New Year to you as well.
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