With the high school graduation of my youngest son, my husband and I are moving into a new phase of life. For the past twenty-seven years we have been dedicated to raising our sons, and next year they will all be fully living lives away from home. What does this mean for a summer of transition and a new year without children at home?
First, I know that we are both grateful that our sons have found paths of interest and good people to accompany them on their journeys. One son will travel his college journey with his teammates, classmates, coaches, and professors. Another will travel with his Marine comrades and others he meets along the way, and the third will continue his path as an environmentalist building a life with friends, work colleagues, and others who share his love and interest in exploring and caring for the land and natural beauty around us.
Next, I suspect that my husband and I will spend a lot of time supporting their journeys by being there for special ceremonies and events. We'll be present when they ask for our thoughts or join us for a visit. I always say that our children take us down roads we never thought we would travel, and those roads can be wonderful adventures if we're open to what our children's paths hold. I want to treat each of their journeys as new adventures--I want to learn from them, enjoy the journey, and be present and caring for the challenges they face too.
As for my husband and I, I look forward to reinvesting in so many of the shared interests, questions, and commitments that brought us together in the first place. We love the outdoors, movies, taking care of our home, spending time with our extended families, entertaining, and adventuring near and far. We are also both committed to our work in education and health care and support each other in our endeavors. It will be nice to have more time with each other to share in these interests and continue to support our boys together.
There will be more time too to care for our extended family and friends--to spend time with my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
I want to think about how we can translate this time into giving back a bit more too. What kind of time will we spend on community efforts and advocacy to help others live good lives with those they love--how can we help to make that more present in the places where we live?
As I prepare for so many festivities in the days ahead, I am cognizant of this change and ready to embrace the potential that it holds as the journeys of so many continue over landscapes both known and unknown.
First, I know that we are both grateful that our sons have found paths of interest and good people to accompany them on their journeys. One son will travel his college journey with his teammates, classmates, coaches, and professors. Another will travel with his Marine comrades and others he meets along the way, and the third will continue his path as an environmentalist building a life with friends, work colleagues, and others who share his love and interest in exploring and caring for the land and natural beauty around us.
Next, I suspect that my husband and I will spend a lot of time supporting their journeys by being there for special ceremonies and events. We'll be present when they ask for our thoughts or join us for a visit. I always say that our children take us down roads we never thought we would travel, and those roads can be wonderful adventures if we're open to what our children's paths hold. I want to treat each of their journeys as new adventures--I want to learn from them, enjoy the journey, and be present and caring for the challenges they face too.
As for my husband and I, I look forward to reinvesting in so many of the shared interests, questions, and commitments that brought us together in the first place. We love the outdoors, movies, taking care of our home, spending time with our extended families, entertaining, and adventuring near and far. We are also both committed to our work in education and health care and support each other in our endeavors. It will be nice to have more time with each other to share in these interests and continue to support our boys together.
There will be more time too to care for our extended family and friends--to spend time with my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
I want to think about how we can translate this time into giving back a bit more too. What kind of time will we spend on community efforts and advocacy to help others live good lives with those they love--how can we help to make that more present in the places where we live?
As I prepare for so many festivities in the days ahead, I am cognizant of this change and ready to embrace the potential that it holds as the journeys of so many continue over landscapes both known and unknown.