My oldest son is counting down to the day he moves out of our house supposedly, hopefully, for the last time. He’s completed his education, graduating from two of the top culinary programs in the country at Johnson & Wales University earning 2 degrees. He’s a credentialed and very talented pastry and culinary chef. Later this month he leaves for a job and apprenticeship at the oh so upper crusty and tony Harker School in San Jose CA. This is how the first fledgling leaves the nest.
I love my son, and I’m extremely proud of what he’s accomplished so far and how relatively normal his head is screwed on. But it’s way past time he moved out. So while I’m excited for him as he starts down the bumpy road of adult life I’m excited and happy for myself as well. From now on there will be…
One less very large mouth to feed
One less very large body jamming up and trashing the one bathroom the males in our family are allowed to use (for some reason my wife has sole proprietorship of the one attached to the master bedroom). Net result?
- less biological distress from waiting for the room to clear
- a better chance I get to take hot showers… if I can beat Matt in there
- fewer unflushed surprises found in the toilet
- much less blood loss from shaving cuts due to him shaving his scalp with my razor
- dry towelsA spare room I can turn BACK into my office – this is a HUGE deal because I telecommute a lot
Room for my Jeep in the driveway
At the same time there won’t be…
A very large body to help take care of the physical labor around the house
as big an audience for Pops’ life lessons… as I call them
Three of us to watch the Yankees games
Anyone to share my books and movies with – Matt’s got different interests
My first boy living in my house
For the past 24 years I’ve had 3 jobs. One is being a good husband to my wife. the second is to make a living for the family. The third, and my personal favorite, being Pops for Charlie and Matt. So it’s a bittersweet thing to be giving up part of that job. Charlie’s heading to California. I think I’ve taught him what he needs to know to make his way in the world, to take some chances while he can, to follow his passion, and to make sure he finds fun in whatever he does. I hope I’ve taught him that no matter what happens, I’ve got his back.
So I’ll enjoy my new/old office, luxuriate in the hot shower (if Matt doesn’t get there first), save money on band-aids and razor blades, not worry about getting my shoes muddy anymore, and probably bug the shit out of Matt because now there’s only one target.. But every morning, walking into that office, I’ll miss my son. Safe travels Charlie, enjoy the ride.
Thanks as one empty-nest dad to another you’re right lots of perks, lots of down-sides. It’s what you focus on that decides how each day is going to go. I still miss my kids. But I am so happy to watch them fly!
Look at it from his prospective-he’s probably thinking the same things. He really doesn’t want to live at home and feels he should be out on his own as well, but he’ll miss the conveniences, the ball games, the driveway, clean bathroom…etc.
Ya gotta let them go eventually. Just be there when they fall on their face so you can pick them up, dust them off and kick them back out there again.