I love reading your posts Heather. I read many things on The Stack (Substack) that are politically based. I love reading what you write about because it is a break from the craziness of our world and gives me a sense to step back and take a deep breath!
I am a collector of quotes. This one will be added to my collection. "There will come a day when I can’t do this, but today is not that day." It reminds me not to wait, but to do it when I can. Thank for this. The importance of movement is vital for mental health. I am riding my bike a lot these days and this helps me to keep moving! Blessings to you :)
Thank you for this, Christopher! This really made my day, reading your words about my writing. Thank you for being here and sharing. And I'm glad that quote resonated with you — it's one I keep in mind a lot!
Happy to hear you are riding often yourself. It's so good for the soul. Happy summer to you!
I am like you! I love to pet and hold stranger’s dogs. How nice you could share in the beauty of their friendship!
My running partner and I always say, “We get to go this!” Even when it is hard, we are thirsty or tired, we push each other to do the work. We are given this one life and we need to make the most of it. On that note, spending that time with your father is priceless.
If I start to talk about my college son and how little I see him, on my soon to be high school senior, I will be in tears. I love the people they are becoming but it also makes me so sad that I am not needed (except for laundry and food) and they are with friends and girl friends. I am not a priority. I feel a lot of the same tho ha you’re feeling.
We moms need to stick together and support one another. It’s all going to be all right. ❤️
I love all that you shared here, Jen. And yes, we do need to stick together and support one another. I agree, it's all going to be fine — great even! We get to do this...the bike rides, the runs, the time spent with pets and family and friends. It's all so bittersweet, this time of parenting older kids and figuring out next steps for ourselves, but I remind myself it's mostly pretty wonderful. ❤️
Ah yes, that "stones on my chest" feeling. I know it well - and still have one child left in school! My oldest two have been out of the house so long I feel like I've been preemptively grieving/celebrating the empty nest for at least six years now. Having so many of the same thoughts as you about the when/where/what of it all. I guess I'm also realizing I don't have to have it all figured out just yet? This stage will unfold slowly, in parts, just like all the stages of having young kids did.
I keep telling myself that, too—that I don't have to have it all figured out. I'm trying hard (and sometimes succeeding) to just be with all of this and let this stage go at the pace it needs to go. This phase really does unfold in parts, as you say. What you shared about your oldest two being out of the house for so long that the time you've been grieving/celebrating the empty nest is lasting years...I feel this. I don't know why I ever thought reaching the empty nest stage would be somewhat of a quick transition. It's more like an evolution and it can and likely will go on for awhile!
So first off, you pass by my house whenever you head up or down that mile long hill. Kudos on making it all the way up. We have only ridden it up to our house. (Look for the flag by the mailbox and swing in anytime for a quick break.)
As a first time fur mom…I find myself doing what you did. Loving on other fur babies and learning their stories. It feels like a whole new community now that we are empty nesters and living 2 hours from our 5 kids, and their partners.
I hope we ‘run’ into each other soon! My fur baby Honey would love to meet you!
Betsey! How great to hear from you and to know you understand the pain and thrill of riding that mile-long hill! ;) I will look for the flag by the mailbox next time I'm riding or running!
I love that you are a first-time fur mom! And I'd love to meet Honey sometime. What kind of dog is Honey? There is something so wonderful about having a beloved pet to care for when our kids are older. I didn't expect this, but I am here for it.
I'd love to chat with you sometime — sounds like you are a bit further along on empty nesting and probably could share some wisdom with me! It's such an interesting time right now.
Honey is a Pomeranian-American Eskimo mix. We rescued her on Christmas Eve 2023 when a former student of my husband’s was unable to keep her. Honey had been used for breeding and was going to be put down if no one took her…for free. Jeff’s student drove an hour North from GR to get her. Honey is the sweetest dog who loves to go on adventures. She absolutely loves living in TC with her parents.
Our move to TC officially emptied our nest. When Jeff left his teaching position a year ago in May due to administrative differences, the dominos began to fall into place. He is now teaching in Kalkaska and I am working at Interlochen Center for the Arts. We were both ready for a change…and are so blessed to have supportive family and friends.
I love reading your posts Heather. I read many things on The Stack (Substack) that are politically based. I love reading what you write about because it is a break from the craziness of our world and gives me a sense to step back and take a deep breath!
I am a collector of quotes. This one will be added to my collection. "There will come a day when I can’t do this, but today is not that day." It reminds me not to wait, but to do it when I can. Thank for this. The importance of movement is vital for mental health. I am riding my bike a lot these days and this helps me to keep moving! Blessings to you :)
Thank you for this, Christopher! This really made my day, reading your words about my writing. Thank you for being here and sharing. And I'm glad that quote resonated with you — it's one I keep in mind a lot!
Happy to hear you are riding often yourself. It's so good for the soul. Happy summer to you!
I am like you! I love to pet and hold stranger’s dogs. How nice you could share in the beauty of their friendship!
My running partner and I always say, “We get to go this!” Even when it is hard, we are thirsty or tired, we push each other to do the work. We are given this one life and we need to make the most of it. On that note, spending that time with your father is priceless.
If I start to talk about my college son and how little I see him, on my soon to be high school senior, I will be in tears. I love the people they are becoming but it also makes me so sad that I am not needed (except for laundry and food) and they are with friends and girl friends. I am not a priority. I feel a lot of the same tho ha you’re feeling.
We moms need to stick together and support one another. It’s all going to be all right. ❤️
I love all that you shared here, Jen. And yes, we do need to stick together and support one another. I agree, it's all going to be fine — great even! We get to do this...the bike rides, the runs, the time spent with pets and family and friends. It's all so bittersweet, this time of parenting older kids and figuring out next steps for ourselves, but I remind myself it's mostly pretty wonderful. ❤️
Ah yes, that "stones on my chest" feeling. I know it well - and still have one child left in school! My oldest two have been out of the house so long I feel like I've been preemptively grieving/celebrating the empty nest for at least six years now. Having so many of the same thoughts as you about the when/where/what of it all. I guess I'm also realizing I don't have to have it all figured out just yet? This stage will unfold slowly, in parts, just like all the stages of having young kids did.
I keep telling myself that, too—that I don't have to have it all figured out. I'm trying hard (and sometimes succeeding) to just be with all of this and let this stage go at the pace it needs to go. This phase really does unfold in parts, as you say. What you shared about your oldest two being out of the house for so long that the time you've been grieving/celebrating the empty nest is lasting years...I feel this. I don't know why I ever thought reaching the empty nest stage would be somewhat of a quick transition. It's more like an evolution and it can and likely will go on for awhile!
So first off, you pass by my house whenever you head up or down that mile long hill. Kudos on making it all the way up. We have only ridden it up to our house. (Look for the flag by the mailbox and swing in anytime for a quick break.)
As a first time fur mom…I find myself doing what you did. Loving on other fur babies and learning their stories. It feels like a whole new community now that we are empty nesters and living 2 hours from our 5 kids, and their partners.
I hope we ‘run’ into each other soon! My fur baby Honey would love to meet you!
Betsey! How great to hear from you and to know you understand the pain and thrill of riding that mile-long hill! ;) I will look for the flag by the mailbox next time I'm riding or running!
I love that you are a first-time fur mom! And I'd love to meet Honey sometime. What kind of dog is Honey? There is something so wonderful about having a beloved pet to care for when our kids are older. I didn't expect this, but I am here for it.
I'd love to chat with you sometime — sounds like you are a bit further along on empty nesting and probably could share some wisdom with me! It's such an interesting time right now.
Honey is a Pomeranian-American Eskimo mix. We rescued her on Christmas Eve 2023 when a former student of my husband’s was unable to keep her. Honey had been used for breeding and was going to be put down if no one took her…for free. Jeff’s student drove an hour North from GR to get her. Honey is the sweetest dog who loves to go on adventures. She absolutely loves living in TC with her parents.
Our move to TC officially emptied our nest. When Jeff left his teaching position a year ago in May due to administrative differences, the dominos began to fall into place. He is now teaching in Kalkaska and I am working at Interlochen Center for the Arts. We were both ready for a change…and are so blessed to have supportive family and friends.