Leaving Home and Coming Home
Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10:22PM 
Youngest son left for Edmonton Wednesday. I wish I’d snapped a photo of him leaving with his friend Zach in the fancy-schmancy pick up and camper they are delivering for their summertime boss at the R. V. rental place, but I didn’t. (There’s a reason I’ve never been the family photographer. I was always too busy experiencing the milestones to think of recording them.)
So, for the first time in my life, I am living alone. I can’t say I like it much. I don’t like coming home in the evening to an empty house. Empty, that is, except for the animals. Things do stay tidy, and I thought I liked things tidy, but I guess I only like tidy when I have to fight the messy people to get it that way.
The two kids still living here in town don’t stock their own fridges. That means that even though I live alone, I don’t eat alone.
And I’ll get used to living alone. I’ll even learn to like it after a while. If things go the way they usually do, I’ll learn to like my quiet order just about the time one or two of the messy people decide to move back home again.
Reader Comments (8)
Rebecca not having experienced this season you find yourself in I can only be faithful to pray for you, not only that you will be content for the providence God has you in but that you will give thanks to Him for his perfect ways.
Thanks for the reminder that even though things are very messy, that season won't last forever.
Blessings from NI
The first week of school, my dog and cat followed me everywhere. They were not used to having just me home, and I think it unnerved them. I have people returning in the evening, so I can't entirely say I know what you're feeling, but the other night everyone but I went to a movie,and I was alone until about 10:30. It was a strange feeling.
That is a big change! I'm glad the kids in town are nearby and will be coming by for supper regularly. God will be your strength and your comfort during the adjustment period--that's for sure! In the meantime, I will pray for you every time I see 'Rebecca Writes' pop up in my Google reader.
Love and prayers,
Kim
"Even though I live alone, I don't eat alone." Funny how Mom's stocked fridge means the offspring don't need to stock theirs. I often hear, "Man, you guys have good food here!" Although one son has his own apt., he still keeps his place at our dinner table. Actually, I like it that way! He does the after-dinner clean-up.
After my divorce long ago, even though I worked with other people in a teen facility, I was alone a lot. I learned to treat myself well so to speak. I went on dinner dates with a good book, lots of walks and travel adventures, and started to really, in a bittersweet way, enjoy my solitude. I also seemed to have a closer relationship with the Lord during that time. I was divorced for 11 years, and am now married, and my husband's son lives with us . Various other kids have stayed with us now and then, which I have enjoyed somewhat, but I still like my solitude very much. I hope and pray that you find comfort in solitude and great fellowship with God during this season.
Woah! Too many comments to respond to individually. Thank you for the promises to pray for me. I am okay, really, just adjusting.
Yes, I do like that the kids mostly come home to eat. I'm sure I eat better that way
Aww - That's all I can say. Although I loved living alone in my single days, I wouldn't go back to it. But as you say, it has its advantages. Just consider yourself a success that your kids want to leave - and stop buying cheese if you want them to stop coming for meals (though I'm sure you don't).
I missed your month of "home," as I was away through much of it. But it was so good to be able to say "I'm home" yesterday!
A well meaning woman at church once said to my Mother, "Laverne what did you do wrong? All your children are away from home in places you can't even reach them by phone. It was the early 70's and we were in the Eastern Arctic, Nepal and Western Arctic. Very wisely Mom said, "Maybe it's what we did right."
Thanks Violet for that memory jog.