We’re home alone this week having a painting vacation, while our “boys” are on their own separate vacations. Jeremy—our oldest—is in Dana Point, California visiting my brother and seeing the sights of Los Angeles.
Jon—our youngest—came home from Pittsburgh for a haircut (see previous post—March 7, 2007), and is now off with his girlfriend’s family in Ocean City, Maryland for a week.
I’m not sure what you call it, but I think we’re having an empty-nest vacation!
I was completely content, until I meandered downstairs to get some painting supplies and stumbled across the family vacation albums. I used to be a scrapbooker and have volumes of books that took countless hours to put together. Sitting crossed-legged on the floor, I pored over each one.
Where were the rest of them? I thought.
I glanced over at the sofa and there—neatly stacked—were six leather albums. Jon must have shown them to his girlfriend, Kim, before they left for Maryland. I gulped away tears as I reminisced.
Now, we’re home alone, but not before we got the summer updates. During Jon’s 45-minute haircut, he shared with me how much he loved his job while staying with one of his fraternity brothers in Pittsburgh, and giving tennis lessons to the future Andrea Agassi’s of the world (“Little Grippers”—ages three to five). While I cut and snipped away at his hair, I occasionally swiped a tear from my cheek as he recounted his passion for tennis and the memories he was making.
Earlier in the week, I caught up with Jer via cell phone. He was riding his bike down the foggy California coast. I heard the wind whipping in the background and could almost taste the salty air. Several times he faded in and out, breathlessly sharing with me his plans for the rest of the week when his girlfriend, Cindy, arrives.
I thought about all the vacations we’ve had through the years—including the one we took in December to San Francisco. But if I had to pick my favorite—it would have to be Bar Harbor, Maine in the year 2000. It rained all ten days, but we had the best time riding our bikes through Acadia National Park, hiking the trails, and rock climbing the slippery cliffs.
Am I sad? No—not really—just nostalgic. We took a family vacation every year of our boys’ lives (even when we couldn’t afford it), so they would have memories. And that’s exactly what I wanted them to leave home with…lots and lots of good memories!
12 Comments
Ah Connie girl, good memories, events that have built a secure foundation of love in your family and the lives of your boys. I look at the picture of you guys perched on that big rock and think… Susan, enjoy each day you have with your boys… soon, by God’s grace, your sons will be creating their own memories too. Thank you for a glimpse of how good life can be when we share it with each other and God.
Hey Susan,
I think of all the hours I spent on scrapbooking–it wasn’t wasted time! It’s the first thing they do when they come home–shoot straight for the albums. I’m thankful now that I invested the time.
Cherish the memories…they grow up too fast (I know you’ve heard the same thing, but it’s so true!).
Hi Connie,
We are in the middle of three little grandchildren this week…and I’m so thankful to have any time with them…Their babysister was operated on this morning…and I’m waiting on tenterhooks to hear SOMETHING!!
Reminiscing….aah…Sometimes I do wish I was George and Victoria’s mother…but alas…now I’m just Jeanne…
Oh Jeanne,
I opened my prayer calendar today and BREANNA was written all over the page–top priority! I’m hugging you (gently), and holding your hand. I didn’t want to bother you because I know the kiddos are taking all your time. But I’m “holding the ropes” for you. I’ll wait to hear how everything went…your sweet baby granddaughter is in good hands!
Hugs, Prayers, and more Hugs,
Connie
Hi Connie,
I’m a scrapper too. Wish we didn’t live on opposite ends of the country, we could scrap together. I’m working on weeding out the office today to reclaim my scrapbooking area. I bought a ten foot laminated counter top and drawers from a lady who was moving. It is supposed to be my creative area, but since I started the magazine I haven’t seen it. We will be adding a Hobby Department soon. I encourage everyone to send us articles on your passions, (with photos for the Hobby Department).
http://www.passionateforlife.com
My hobby area is the downstairs basement (I will reclaim my space soon!). One scrapbooking album that took me forever was my mom and dad’s 50th anniversary album (a heritage album). I’m so glad I did it (you should have seen the look on their faces). It was truly a labor of love!
How wonderful!Scrapbooks are a treasure.
Back when I had pre-schoolers and was a member of M.O.P.’s, an elder mother spoke about family traditions. She told us that her scrapbooks of Christmas through the years were her daughters-in-laws’ favorite item to grab when they came to visit for Christmas each year. How precious to have a chronicle of Christmas through the years to see your children grow up.
Someday I WILL get caught up…I will, I will!
Oh, I forgot…I do have a Christmas album! Thanks for reminding me!!! I sent out a photo postcard every year and then did a page for that Christmas! I started when Jon was born. I always return to that album for reference. When I look at a picture and can’t figure out what year it was, I turn to the photo Christmas card for that year and check out the hair and clothes and say, “Yep, had to be 1990!”
But you have enough on your plate with the new e-zine Passionate for Life! You go girl!
I can really relate. Both our kids are getting married this summer. In fact, one down and one to go. It seems a little surreal but I console myself with the fact that my MIL is still with us. And there is the promise of grandchildren…
Jan,
Thanks for stopping by…a new “face” on the Boomer Babes! I just briefly clicked on your blogs (awesome!), but I’m going to return soon. You have a message that is so relevant–caregiving! What a blessing to have been the caretaker for your dad and that you still have your MIL with you! As Dotsie Bregel would say, “you’re in the ‘club sandwich’ generation.” You’re an amazing woman! I too am looking forward to grandchildren, but I first need to get them married (any ideas are welcome!).
Connie, I just posted my longest response ever at BBR, got a phone call, got distracted and lost my post. I’m so upset. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that this topic really touches my heart.
I planned for the empty nest, but what I didn’t plan for was the lack of times my family would be together as a family once they all went off to college. I hadn’t thought about how tough it would be for us to do family vacations which have always been a huge part of our family fun. This topic makes me extremely sad.
Just last week, we went to the beach for five days with my sister and her family, but only one of our children was with us. The other two are in school this summer.
We are going to the beach in a couple weeks for a traditional family and friend vacation and our youngest can’t make it because he will be in school. I think it’s the tenth year we’ve done this with three other families.
Times are changing.
All five of us were home just last summer, but since the youngest two left for school last August, we’ve only all five been together three times! Ouch…
We were talking yesterday about the possiblility of doing a family vacation between Christmas and New Year’s, but we aren’t sure if our oldest, who is now interviewing for jobs, will be able to get a few days off. Time will tell.
Anyway, I am not a scrapbooker. I’ve just put photos in albums. I need to start yanking them out and reminiscing about the good old days!
To those of you with kids still home, make the most of this time. It doesn’t last forever!
Sorry to make you sad, but guess what? The kids now come home with vacation albums of their own. I had so much fun looking over the gorgeous pictures that Jon and Kim took at Ocean City (black and white), and some color ones too. Kim said I could take the ones I wanted–they made extras for me! Ahh… (it was almost as good as being there!). I told Jon please don’t say it was the best vacation you ever had or I’ll get sad again. He winked and gave me a big hug. I think I got my answer!
I know families who spend every summer together on vacation–even when the grandchildren come along. How they do it–I don’t know! We did take a family vacation in Dec. to SF, but everyone ended up going their separate ways: I went shopping (big surprise there!) and the guys went skiing! But we did eat together and flew on the plane together–does that count?!?!?!