Parental Purgatory - The College Years

Have you seen robins as they are leaving the nest? The babies are as big as the mom, but they look even bigger because their feathers are still kind of fluffy. I was watching one in the backyard a while ago. The mom was on the fence chirping at her offspring. He would fly a little ways, then squawk. She would swoop down and give encouragement, then go back up on the fence. He'd stretch his wings a little, then try again, getting a little further. She came down again and again, occasionally giving him a little snack. This went on until finally he gained enough height that he could clear our back fence and be gone, not from his momma, but from my field of vision.

We are in that Parental Purgatory - not quite "Empty Nester's" yet. The kids' bedrooms are still full and my bank account is still being drained. I'm like the momma bird, encouraging the flight, but still providing the worms.

The Marine is close to home, but he has his own apartment. We still receive most of his mail and keep all his important papers. His closet is full, not with clothes as much as treasures: plastic army men that he spent hours setting up for battle, totes full of balls of every size, Lego creations, Hot Wheels, Light Sabers, Nerf guns. He's holding his own financially, thanks to the GI Bill and a short tour in Iraq. But we help out when he lets us. My biggest concern is how he feeds himself. I occasionally wander with him through King Soops and pull out my card at the end. Of course, he is always welcome home for a meal, the price of admission being a little conversation about his life. He's a full-time student, has a job, a girlfriend, and the occasional Reserves commitment, so we don't see him very often. At 22, he's getting his feet under him and getting his wings.

Little sister, Miss M, is at school 100 miles away. She keeps her own stash of treasures at home, but she's been better about keeping it pared down and I can actually walk into her closet. Prom dresses are still here, as well as plastic totes with baby dolls, half-finished craft projects, a miniature tea set, retired track shoes. Though she is further away, she is still completely dependant on us for the financials, which is okay for now. We talk almost every day and she knows we are ready to swoop in if necessary. She is stretching her wings and learning to fly, but it's a big scary world out there and we are close by with the worms and the warnings.

The Mr. and I are thrilled to watch our little birds fly. That was the goal all along.