Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Beth Ferree

Sept 21, 2006

I would like to welcome Beth Ferree as writer # 358 for Storytime Tapestry.  Beth is an accomplished freelance writer as well as a friend and business partner of mine (more to come about that later). Please welcome her in the very special Storytime Tapestry way.

The Empty Nest Syndrome
By: Beth Ferree

Ten days and counting. Ten days until my youngest child heads out the door for
College and I begin a new journey. Because I am divorced, this is a path I will travel
Alone. One moment I am eagerly looking forward to the freedom and the next I am
Fearfully anticipating the silence. Only ten days.

It's not as though I didn't know this time was coming at some point. I was never one
Of those mothers who held on to their children tightly. Each milestone in their lives
Was a point of celebration, a message to me that time does not stand still. I did not
Stand in the window of the Kindergarden classroom watching to see how quickly
Each child assimilated. Instead, I ran to the car as soon as I dropped the youngest
Off and headed to the mall. Then, I felt guilty when I discovered later that she had
Had problems finding her classroom. Apparently, I had taken her to the wrong one.
But, she survived and grew strong and independent. And, so did I.

It was this independence that I instilled in my children that allowed me to walk away
From 15 years of abuse and anger. We held one another up during the difficult times.
All four of us, huddled together against the elements of unpaid bills and no jobs.
I fought for them with tears and self-righteous indignation against a man who didn't
Care, and didn't call. I swallowed the angry words of sarcasm when he suddenly
Showed up once more and they went running. I tried to hide the jealousy I felt
Seeing him get the attention when I was the one who raised them alone.

And, now they are leaving again. This time to face the world as adults. I must let
Them go to make their mistakes and raise their own families. They will come home
Again, but as visitors. No longer children they will pass through and leave footprints
On my floor and imprints on my heart. And, I must learn to go on to take care of my own needs, desires, wants. Perhaps to fall in love again. Or, perhaps to simply slip into a comfortable existence, coming to terms with the reality of aging.

Ten more days. Only ten more days.

Beth Ferree

beth@bethferree.com