Letting Go

What a terrific summer I experienced. I got to visit with my entire family. Mike and I took a vacation alone together. We celebrated Frank and Mike's high school graduation. I got to spend time with some amazing young men with Autism. I led a growth group, hung out at the beach a few times, went to Summerfest, endured the blazing heat of July, walked regularly with Mama Kreuser, took a visit to Marinette to see Sue Won and spent a lot of quality time with Mike. School is  back in session and my life is more structured. The structure sure looks different than it ever has  before. I am still driving special needs students. I work pretty much the same hours I did last year. I am working Saturday charters and going to GLC regularly. So what's changed?

The boys are now in college. Frank is studying at MSOE and living in Milwaukee. Mike is going to Carthage, but living at home. With school, cross country and work he is not home very often. So, do I have empty nest syndrome? Sure,  life is different! Am I laying in bed, too depressed to get up? Not a chance! 

Marriage, friendships, professional relationships and family change. My marriage is stronger than ever. I was angry with Mike for a long time. The process of getting over that bitterness took work. Shiela moved away and Phyllis and I have grown apart. My closest friends are Chris, Jane, and Angela. We may not talk every day, but they have my confidence. I have different monitors, schools and students than last year. Tara is working in dispatch, because our dispatcher was badly injured in a car accident. My boys gain more and more independence daily. Sure, it's weird not going to Mike's running meets or knowing what Frank is up to every day. In order to cope with missing them, I focus on the fact that they are maturing young men of great character and faith. That is exactly what their father and I raised them to be. That makes me extremely happy.