Classes at Cambridge University, graduation, marriage proposals, going into business, high-rise living in Chicago... so many things happening in our sons' lives.
I watch with a great deal of pleasure and a little bit of sadness as they stake out their independent paths. It's all my wife and I could have hoped for them... maybe more.... We were lucky; whatever it was we did with them and for them seems to be working. The house is emptying. Oh, the younger ones are still hanging around for a little longer while they build up their personal funds so that they can purchase homes and cars. But the change is clearly here.
It's strange how so much gain can feel like so much loss. More free time, less expenses, less responsibility... but the thought of a house without young people outweighs those positives. It was tough when the oldest left, but having the younger ones around softened that change. Now the second one is about to leave and the third will follow soon after. They'll be nearby, but it will be very different.
We'll get used to it, but I'm not sure how well we'll like it. That's life: the destination is not nearly as welcome as the journey.
