In one month I’ve had the opportunity to see both of our daughters. As they came and went, I thought back to when they were just little tikes that needed their parents. They’ve grown quickly and that time in life now seems so far off. A well-loved and somewhat distant memory.
I didn’t get to see them together, which I’d prefer to have it, but separately. In two different locations.
One I traveled to see. The other came to me. And perfect timing for Mr. of course, it was Father’s Day.
No matter how much time goes between getting together, it’s so nice to spend time with the girls. As an empty nest mom, it is rewarding to see how they are doing on their own paths in life. How much they are still similar, yet, unique in their own ways.
This yard where they played for hours and hours when they little now housed the feathery friends who have recently launched from their nests in the trees. This tree in the front yard has been host to the Robins and the Sparrows and Hummingbirds. It has been known to feed the deer in the winter too, yet it survives each year as a home for the neighborhood wildlife.
The Robins are building a new nest again, at the top. The momma has been using my toy sand buckets with premade mud to ease her nest building process. The buckets are meant for a playful take on the yard. I’m not so sure I’m laughing with joy, but at least I could help a fellow momma out.
And the Sparrows have all hatched and are busy, busy, busy. It’s fun to plant ourselves in front of the window and watch them. Just like we did with our kids.
The little birds have been following their parents around the yard. It’s fun to watch how the moms and dads teach their young how to survive in the world. They line them up and give them a view of what to do.
They’ve learned how to feed themselves. They trail behind the parents and wait for the momma to come back with snacks to keep them motivated to keep trying to find their own food.
They’ve learned how to keep clean and stay on task with their dreams in life.
My two have done the same. They’re branching out and are discovering their own way in life. They’ve launched from the original homefront landing spot, and are off doing their own thing. I’m a proud momma watching who they’ve become.
Each full moon I think of them watching it rise in the sky with us. And stopping to spell M-O-O-N together. I know they look at it wherever they are and think of us too. It connects the miles between us in a simple little way.
With each sunrise, I smile. I look up at their future that is bright.
I chuckle that some days I miss holding the girls and carrying them around the yard to discover things like Copper now does when I’m playing with my camera. But at least I don’t have to smell their cracks anymore – no more diaper changing going on in our empty nest. Copper can do his own business. Lucky me, right?
I can wait for grandparent status. Diaper changing seems like a long time ago, I’m outta practice. (PS…I know, I’m such a wisecrack, but if the caption/photo works, well…you know me – go for it!)
I forgive myself on the days I think their growing up years are a blur and have gone by too fast. It’s been a fun ride so far. We’ve got more places to go and things to do. Life doesn’t stand still for long.
Each foggy moment I treasure. I remember when the view of the tree at the end of the road was so small, just like the girls were, back when the driveway was smooth.
Now it’s like me, filled with ripples and wrinkles. I’m still damn glad it’s the path our girls know they can take whenever they wish.
We’re here to welcome them home and to send them off again on their chosen paths!
Post Inspiration – Dutch Goes the Photo – Trail, and late entries into Sunday Stills – Paths, and Anne Christine’s hosting of Lens-Artists #50 – Trees.
PS – Don’t you just love a foggy morning? Ah…! And those little birds have been so fun to watch. And, if you’re an empty nester, do tell…you don’t miss diaper changing do you?!
Foggy mornings are wonderful, Shelley. You have some great pictures. You have some great memories, too. Life goes on, young ones grow to be the independent people we urged them to be. That’s a good thing.
I can’t seem to get enough of the foggy mornings. They’ll get foggier here as July turns into August. I just wish the neighbor’s shed wasn’t in the view. But…it will give me cause to maybe venture out and find new foggy views like you do!
Yes, independent adult kids is a grand thing. I’m warming up to it each and every day. Thank you for the encouragement to do so!
I’m so glad you got to see both your girls recently! At least you’re past the point now of having to worry about snowstorms messing up your plans. Your posts are always so thoughtful. What a lovely way to start my day here. Now, off to work–too busy! Have a wonderful day, Shelley!
Yes, Rebecca, it was wonderful to see the girls again – no snowstorms, just thunderstorms to watch for and avoid. Thank you for your compliment, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Hope you had a wonderfully productive day!
It’s posts like this one that remind me how much I wanted to have children but alas it was not to be. I now enjoy the company of my many nieces and nephews. Lovely post Shelley
Aw, Tina, your comment reminds me to be even more thankful for the chance I was given to be a parent. Your nieces and nephews are so lucky to have you as their aunt. Thank you for your sharing thoughts – I’m glad you appreciated my post.
Your post for the prompt was so fun to read and look at. Your birds are huge compared to the ones I shared in my post!
A sweet trip down memory lane. And the fog does add the perfect backdrop to your post. It is an odd time for a while after the kids leave home. How nice when they come back to visit! Diaper changing…it’s a skill that comes back with a grandchild. Like riding a bike. 🙂
Thank you – glad you enjoyed the post. I’m getting more used to this stage. I can wait for grandkids. Plus with your reassurance that diaper changing skill comes back like riding a bike, I’m good to go until/if that time comes in life! I hope it happens before I need diapers…! 😉
Ha! I hadn’t thought of that possibility 😉
Those moments with our children after they have flown the nest are so precious. Such a beautiful and heartfelt post, Shelley.
Yes, they are precious. Thank you, Maggie – I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
What a wonderful set of sentiments expressed in this thoughtful post, Shelley. Great subjects for combining three photo challenges in one post, a trifecta! Apparently we will be distance grandparents as both kids who are having their own all love in San Diego. Oh darn. Your photography is improving with every post. You have a great eye for composition and subject. Enjoy that empty nest with no regrets, you have done a wonderful job with your fledglings!
Aw, Terri, thank you so much for your encouraging words about the prompt efforts -Yes! – A trifecta at that! LOL! I adore reading your critiques about my photos – I keep learning every day ;-)!
Aw, distance grandparenting is a real thing. I imagine I’ll be like you when/if grandkids appear – I’ll have to travel or they’ll have to travel to experience any diaper changing sessions. Nice that both of your kids are in the same city. 🙂
I’m enjoying the empty nest – getting better with the idea each and every day. I’m proud of my fledglings – they’re doing well!
Definitely don’t miss diaper changing but I do miss little babies. I find myself holding the dog like a baby sometimes. Question – Do you talk to your girls every day? When mine were all living out of the house I tried to let them live their lives and did not call them much. I did send a text if I hadn’t heard from them in a day or two and they called me when they had questions or to tell me some news if they had it. I felt like I was treating them like adults (I never talked to my mother every day, even when I was younger). Sometimes I wonder if they think I’m ignoring them. Thoughts?
LOL! That’s awesome that you hold your dog like a baby. I hold my little 9# dog all the time, he is my baby.
I think that almost every day I snap my kids or I see they like my Instagram photos. We don’t ‘talk’ but we do make contact. I wonder if they ‘hear’ from me too much? My oldest calls me at least once a week and I skype with my youngest at least once a week. I think this stage would be much harder if I didn’t have the social media connection. Thanks for asking!
Yes, social media helps a lot. We all have iPhones so we Facetime which is fun too.
🙂 Yay for technology!! 🙂
I don’t miss diapers but I do miss my babies/toddlers/kiddos every day!! Beautiful post!
Aw, Sherri, I agree with you, thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Shelley I love this post. I also miss my two boys who have both flown the nest. Loved watching your photo’s of the birds with their fledglings. Beautiful post
Hi Samantha, thank you for stopping by and for your words of encouragement. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Missing our kids is normal, not necessarily easy, but it’s normal. But, we’ll survive, yes we will!
I don’t miss the diapers but then again, between grandkids AND great-grandkids, there have been plenty more.
Once again, great photos – I love the way you weave your story through them.
LOL – diapers just go hand in hand with stages of our lives! I’m happy to wait for that change 😉
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and the post!
I like foggy mornings too – your mistiness is nice in a rural area. I love the little birds lined up in a row like little soldiers – they are so cute. You did a great job telling your story and contrasting it with the photos.
I bet you see some fun fog in the parks if you ever go that early in the morning. Okay…I don’t know if I would feel safe going there in the morning, so scratch that!
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words of encouragement :-). And yes, I agree, those little birds were adorable! 😉
You have an excellent view of rolling fog on fields or a flat horizon Shelley … I have seen incredible fog when passing through a park a few blocks away … especially in the Fall when the trees are bare and seem like dark objects looming in the distance. Very cool! I am always wondering if it is safe to use the camera in such damp conditions – you are inside I think for the pics. But, like you said – walking in the fog is no longer an option when we have that pea soup fog. Too much craziness. I have waited until mid-day in the Fall on a particularly bad foggy day only to have it never lift so I gave up. I have to quit giving up on the weather. I’ll try to get out tonight if the rain lets up. I did love those little birds lined up – I’m a sucker for baby critters as you know. 🙂