Full in Slave Lake
My situation never seems quite right. When I’m in Slave Lake, I miss Buddy and Princess. When I’m in Calgary, I miss The Consultant.
Whenever I start feeling the “empty” in empty nest, it usually takes a trip to Calgary to visit with my kids, family and friends in order to make it all better. I drive to the city, fill myself up then take all that fullness back to Slave Lake, where I dump myself out through my writing.
Living this lifestyle is an adjustment, for sure. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own feelings that I forget it’s not all about me. The Consultant’s nest is empty too. Although he doesn’t display it to the world, like I do, he misses our kids.
So, he was as excited as I to hear Buddy and Princess were making the trip up to visit. Several times before their arrival, he mentioned how much he was looking forward to seeing them. I realized that The Consultant hadn’t seen either of the kids since May.
Friday evening of the August long weekend, about an hour before their arrival, we received this video via text message –
Buddy and Princess were playing right into our excitement. They know us so well.
When they finally arrived we had all the hugging and smiling with all of us talking at once that happens when family comes together. I loved the look of joy that was pasted on The Consultant’s face from then until their departure on Monday afternoon.
He isn’t used to having them all to himself anymore. He took off to golf with Buddy and swam in Lesser Slave Lake with Princess. It was just like the good old days.
There were many moments each day, when I stood back and watched from a distance, as though I wasn’t part of it – filling myself with their joy.
For three perfect summer days, all felt right with the world – the four of us under one roof again, laughing, relaxing, sharing meals. It was hard to watch them drive away.
But as I write this, I’m sitting up here in Slave Lake feeling extra full. I thought I’d better empty a little by sharing the August long weekend in my post today.
How do you fill yourself ?
Kathi
As a mother of two grown children, I have transitioned through the empty nest and am embracing this amazing and yet, sometimes confusing stage of life. My desire is to write my way through whatever comes my way and should my thoughts resonate, I'd love to hear from you.
12 Comments
Janine_Janine_vander@hotmail.com
This is a beautiful picture/story of family. Awesome. Makes my heart warm and fuzzy. Thinking about what fills me up.
My Life After Kids (Kathi Ostrom)
It was such a great weekend. I couldn’t keep it to myself. 🙂
janstring
Hi Kath,
I think this is one of the parts of being human I enjoy the most, being able to feel my joy at others feeling joy! If that makes sense. Having kids allowed me to connect with that part of myself. Knowing told me it would feel as good as it did watching someone else enjoying life – as it does to enjoy it myself.
Great to see your kids! Brought a lump to my throat at their leaving – all at the same time. What I’ve realised is that having a full life or filling up my life doesn’t mean that I will miss those I love. I think it just makes it a little easier on me – if I can feel my own sunshine, as that helps nurse the rain.
Inside I feel ‘filled’ after longterm travel with my family and being the kind of mother I choose to be. Now I find that it’s the external void where I need to spend some time working on!
My Life After Kids (Kathi Ostrom)
Traveling as a family is ideal. I know how much you love those opportunities. Another time I get that feeling of joy from watching is at Christmas. When we have our big family gatherings I love to sit back and listen to all the excitement. It makes me smile. 🙂
aviets
I’ve always loved sitting back and watching my kids enjoy each other’s company and that of their father. It’s almost like watching a home movie as it happens, and then storing it up to replay later. Glad you had a good time together.
-Amy at http://www.momgoeson.wordpress.com
My Life After Kids (Kathi Ostrom)
I agree, Amy, it is like watching a movie. One produced by us. 🙂
Dottie
You have such a wonderful family and a great life with them. I am so glad for you. You posed an interesting question. What fills me up? Suddenly, I think I have a glimmer of recognition of what I need. I think I’m often running on empty. I need to find what will fill me up. That will be something to keep me busy thinking about and figuring out. Thanks!
My Life After Kids (Kathi Ostrom)
…and the best part is that we’ll be able to talk about it in January. In person!
jackloveswriting
I teared up imagining them driving off. Those kind of times together are the most valuable part of my life. Glad you enjoyed your time together.
My Life After Kids (Kathi Ostrom)
Times like that weekend are more precious than ever now to me, too. Thank you for your thoughts.
Zehra Naqvi-Sajjad
You have such a wonderful family and you are an amazing wife and mother. It makes me happy to see you all happy together. Your blog is my favourite, because it’s so simple and unpretentious. And almost poetic. And yes, because I can see the future through you, I can feel things that I probably won’t feel for several decades, and I can feel good about being your age one day! Wish I could be just as lovely and graceful as you are!
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Wow, Zehra. I am truly humbled by your comments. And I’m still enjoying your posts. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could meet in person some day?