I wasn’t born yet but been told as people sat around their televisions, watching the parade, their joy, happiness, and pride of what they saw, ended abruptly. Back in 1963, on November 22, families in their nests around the United States were in shock. Their beloved President had been assassinated.
The sudden empty nest feeling of the first family was likely the worst thing ever to experience. Jackie with her two young children had to go on and recover from the overwhelming sadness they no doubt felt. I bet there are still people 54 years later who remember what they were doing that day and how they felt.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy
I’m thankful to have a much simpler life than a presidential type. The pressure to always look as though things are perfect must be hard. I’m also thankful, I’ve had time to adjust to my empty nest, it wasn’t sudden but gradual.
On anniversaries of past events or holidays when I’m missing people and the hustle of a full nest, my thoughts of the past still trigger numbing feelings in the present. Some moments of reminiscing bring on tugs at my heartstrings.
I start to feel a bit blue, even more so this year having a truly empty nest to decorate. I’m taking it easy on myself though, why go overboard with decorations?
As I displayed my minimalistic Thanksgiving decorations (I literally have only 6 items), I let my thoughts wander in the clutter-free appearance.
An empty nest isn’t lonely, it’s just different.
I smiled at the simplicity of the single turkey decoration standing alone on the shelf – taking in all the glory of the sunshine. He’s adorable and funny looking at the same time.
Realizing the time-saving factors of decorating minimally (the set-up and soon to be cleaned up and put away takes 6 minutes or less of my time!!) was an instant mood booster too!
And…we’re going somewhere on Thanksgiving day. I didn’t really have to decorate. Other than preparing a dish to share and take with us, this will be a stress-free holiday this year.
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. – John F. Kennedy
Empty nest time in life is an opportunity to be thankful for the past, celebrate successes of raising beautiful children, and a time to embrace the future whatever it may hold for all of us. Goodness knows, I’m not the first to go through it, and won’t be the last either.
Only a quirk little turkey stands alone in our empty nest this holiday!
