Empty Nest

I have no confidence in my writing abilities whatsoever. But here goes anyway. Jed and I suddenly find ourselves in a very quiet and rather empty home. For 30 years it has been a home full of children, church, homework, toys, sports, TV, movies, music, games, laughter and good food. There is still plenty of good food but very little of the rest. With the possible exception of laughter. I don't think Jed and I would still be married if we couldn't laugh with and at each other.

It is so incredibly strange to come home to silence and the absence of a million questions. I'm surprised by how much I miss the busy schedule of games and events to attend. I absolutely loved watching my kids participate in sports, music and all the rest. So with Abby's departure to Cal Poly, Madeline a junior at BYU, Daniel a sophomore at UVU, and Cameron and Katie in NYC things are eerily quiet. Because Jed is the Bishop of our ward I come home alone on Sundays and am so bored I have created a blog.

Actually I am creating this blog because it is an assignment for an online course I'm taking. Otherwise I'm quite sure I would be taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Another sign of how bored I am - I am taking two (yes, two) online courses. The real reason for the classes is to move me all the way over on the payscale so I can pay for three in college.

Early last month Jed was gone for the weekend and I realized I was home alone for the very first time in my entire 50 years. It shocked me. I mean I had been alone for a few hours maybe even a day or one night, but never more than a day. I am the oldest of six - went to college and had numerous roommates - got married at 20 - had kids early. So being home alone for the first time ever was fun for the first few hours. I took a hot bath and read for awhile. Strange is all I can say. Also a bit embarrassing, that it took me 50 years to have a few days to myself. Oh well!