Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What Is This Empty Nest Of Which You Speak?

Such a busy day it's been. After the brakes were fixed and Jason took his youngest son home, I walked to the post office to find that this had arrived.


And so, we shall try again. 
This time, that sucker stays ON the stove. 

The sky in Lloyd was most dramatic. I took a picture behind the post office. 


Soon after I got home, it began to rain and then to pour and we got a great, good soaking. 
I decided to go through some old trunks to see if I could find any baby things that Jessie and Lily can use. I found piles of old cloth diapers- most of them Jessie's, I'm sure. And blankets and a few little outfits. And I found some darling dresses with tucks and lace and tiny white collars. Those will be Lily's. I also found the prom dress I made in 1972 from a Vogue wedding dress pattern. White eyelet, pretty as can be, but old and stained. I can't believe I still have it. And a skirt I made eons ago from an old pair of Levi's, patched and embroidered. That thing should go into a museum. It made me smile to find these things and I am washing diapers and blankets. They are worn and soft as clouds. They will feel good on a newborn's skin. 

I drove to town and went with Lily to pick up Owen at school to see how that is done. It is done exactly as I remember such things- a long, long wait in a long, long line and then a happy child who bounds into the car with papers and backpack, with a kiss and a swagger. We went to the grocery store and Owen still gladly holds my hand but he had a little fit in that he wanted ten dollars worth of sushi. How many children do you know who will pitch a bitch about sushi? 
He got over it. 

Oh, these boys, this life. I went to bed last night feeling pathetic and pitiful and woke up to find a grandson already here, drinking a smoothie, ready to go out to help me let the chickens into the run and to get the newspaper and to stop and talk to Luna, the oldest cat in the world, to pet her, to feed her. And then to hold the old diapers and blankets, to remember when and where I got the little dresses, to remember sitting in my room when I was a girl, stitching together a white eyelet dress to wear to the prom. 

I haven't worked on Jessie's baby's blanket all day but I have a good excuse.


She likes it. A lot. 

I messaged on FB today with my best friend from nursing school who was feeling a bit teary this morning because her third and last child was about to leave for college. I told her not to worry too much- that the empty nest only lasts for a breath or two and then it fills back up. 
I looked around me at the toys and books and sippy cups and kids' clothes filling up every room and porch of this house. My grandson was in my bed, watching a movie. 
I knew my words were true. 
But just to completely reassure her, I told her she could always get chickens.

It's been a good day.


Love...Ms. Moon

10 comments:

  1. you are right, the nest isn't empty for long. I raised my kids and almost immediately I had grandbabies tromping through. now the oldest will be 19 in January.

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  2. Should we take bets that the old simmer mats are going to show up?

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  3. I am glad it has been a good day . I always find when I discover items like old babies clothing or a prom dress, how the memories return. Nice to know the diapers will be used in the next generation x

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  4. That's a beautiful thing to say to someone losing their chicks -- that it's only for a brief time. And yes, until then maybe chickens!

    We all love you so much, Mary Moon.

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  5. The old cloth diapers I got from my mother were also very soft. I suppose I wore them when I was a baby. I'm having trouble sending out my eldest for bread or on his bike on his own. I'm sure I will have a hard time adjusting to it when they all leave home. You just don't know how much love there will be before you start that ride.

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  6. Going through the old trunk sounds interesting. Will you post pictures of the prom dress and the jeans skirt? Inquiring minds want to know!

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  7. Ellen Abbott- No. The empty nest is a myth.

    Birdie- I'll be happy to just hold on to this one.

    Leisha- Cloth diapers cost a fortune these days! It's unbelievable.

    Elizabeth- And we all love you so much.

    Mwa- Mr. Moon and I were talking about that last night. And how you don't realize, when they're born, how much you will love them and worry about them for the rest of your life, no matter how old they get.

    Steve Reed- Maybe!

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  8. Hi, cannot we get some photos of your old treasures ? we have similar stuff, and in these days, we are waiting for our 3rd grandkid to come and it looks like to be a girl ! first time so perhaps some of the old nice soft stuff can be used ! our oldest grandson also just started in school ! your Danish overall friend Niels

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  9. may i confess that I had never heard of simmer mats until you lost yours? but then, i am indifferent at best in the kitchen, unlike the rest of my family. this might be the single way in which we are different, because i swear, in every other way we are the same under the skin. love you.

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  10. Niels- I will take pictures. I promise! And congratulations on the the looks-to-be-girl! Hurray! Same here.

    Angella- You must have the cooking gene or your daughter would not have gotten it. It takes two genes, from what I remember from biology. I refuse to believe we are different in any way. Okay, okay. Your skin is darker. But with all of my age spots, I am trying to catch up. Love you so much.

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