Empty Nest 2.0

A New Poem

When my youngest left for college,
I had prepared myself well
to face the empty nest.
I recognized that his visits home 
would be just that - visits.
I had made my life busy and full
with plans, projects, work, and travels
to occupy my mind and time.
Of course, there was bittersweet sadness, 
but along with it a determination 
not to need motherhood to
give my life meaning.

I am in a different story now.
My granddaughters are still at home,
but they no longer need babysitting.
Things seemed to turn quickly,
from hours and days spent 
feeding them, reading to them, 
and building them fairy houses,
to seeing them seldom, and mostly
when they need rides.
Theirs is a natural progression 
towards independence, 
and I love their beautiful vitality.
But, oh, I hadn't considered that
I would face empty nest 2.0.
Of course I am grateful 
for my quiet life, the lack of busyness, 
the time to write, and the comfort
of being home, but
I find that there is a vacancy 
in both my days and my heart.
I carry the pains of a fierce love, 
a deep longing, and the
sweet, surprising sorrow of loss.
It is time to do what I knew to do
all of those years ago -
love and let go.