We dropped off our son at college (War Eagle) and also attended a welcome luncheon with our daughter for Vet School (also War Eagle) on Monday of this week. Mrs. Duman and I are now adjusting to the life of empty nesters. Any wisdom from folks who have navigated this stage of life?
Our kids have kids now - we now enjoy eight grand kids - and I am still having to learn how to keep my mouth shut as they discuss their situations. Certain questions are OK, but suggestions are not welcome unless requested. As my wise-beyond-her-years daughter expressed years ago,
"I don't want you to "fix" it, Daddy. I just want you to listen."
I should have followed her advise. What do you anticipate as being the biggest challenge?
We dropped off our son at college (War Eagle) and also attended a welcome luncheon with our daughter for Vet School (also War Eagle) on Monday of this week. Mrs. Duman and I are now adjusting to the life of empty nesters. Any wisdom from folks who have navigated this stage of life?
It comes in stages, I remember getting on the elevator with our daughter on her wedding day. I was in a trance until finally one of the brides maids observed, "We're not moving."
No one had pressed the down button. Our precious daughter was beginning to build a nest of her own.
We had a code growing up:
"Do you know what?
"What?"
"I love you!"
"I love you too, Daddy!"
Now it is shorter response to "Do you know what?" - An adult version of my daughter says "I love you, too, Daddy?"
PS: Just writing this, 20 years after the fact, brings a tear to my eyes.
It comes in stages, I remember getting on the elevator with our daughter on her wedding day. I was in a trance until finally one of the brides maids observed, "We're not moving."
No one had pressed the down button. Our precious daughter was beginning to build a nest of her own.
We had a code growing up:
"Do you know what?
"What?"
"I love you!"
"I love you too, Daddy!"
Now it is shorter response to "Do you know what?" - An adult version of my daughter says "I love you, too, Daddy?"
PS: Just writing this, 20 years after the fact, brings a tear to my eyes.
Thanks for making me cry. The 16th is my Daddy's second anniversary of his passing. He loved me too.