Flown the Coop
Flown the Coop-
I will preface this post with, I know how fortunate we were and I am always grateful for the blessing in our lives. With that being said, “written”, our family moved! Our daughter, son in law and grandchildren have, dare I say it? Flown the coop! Our son in law made a much needed job change (from assistant police Chief to County Deputy) and they all moved closer to his work. They sold their house and they are renting a small country home. We ( hubby and I) I haven’t seen it yet. But it comes with a barn, many out buildings, an area for chickens, goats and a stable for one of our granddaughters to have her horse. Our daughter and son in law have always wanted to try rural living. So they are renting for a year before they make a commitment to buy a new home. Oh and there will be goats too, hubby wants them to have goats it’s a running joke around here to have a goat to mow your lawn! They also have rattle snacks and rodents running a muck. Eeek!
We are happy for our son in law who needed this much needed change and it is a blessing to know our daughter will be substitute teaching at the local school. It really does help lift the spirits of my sweet Hubby and me to know they are happy with this change.
Hubby and I have been up and down with emotions over it. Why does this move hit us so strongly? Well… they have been living only 4 blocks away from us for about 7 years. They were walking distance from our home. I realize that it is highly unlikely scenario for many and I am grateful. I enjoyed spontaneous breakfasts, lunches and “Grandma Time” often shared with our grandchildren. Our oldest granddaughter was my “personal assistant, wink”. She drove me everywhere. We had great conversations (she is a lovely young lady) and we would laugh and sing along with the songs on the radio a lot.
She graduates this year. She was nervous about being the new girl in school and being a senior in a new school. But, all of that fell away when the whole school was at an assembly and they announced her name and asked her to stand up. The entire auditorium burst into song! It was her birthday. Although she said it was embarrassing, I really do think it helped her to feel like part of the senior class.
Our second oldest granddaughter was nervous too. She is a freshman and would have been “ruling” at her old school. But, she has to start over again at the new school because it combines freshman through senior year.
Not many of you have had such a luxury as ours. But, I don’t drive a car anymore, so it was great that I could get to them by walking or riding my bike (it’s a trike actually). But, now that they live 45 minutes away…it might as well be 45 million.
So the roller coaster of emotions continues.. happy for them, sad for us, grateful for their new jobs and for the treasured time spent with them… and missing them so much already.
Have you or has your family flown the coop?
Sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things link party is still open until midnight tonight and the Weekender giveaway ends at midnight tonight too.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He let His grace shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-6:26 NIV
congratulation your daughter’s family, everything will be ok. Let happy for them to enjoy their new adventure.
Thanks for sharing your feelings with us. Everything will be okay soon, it is all part of life.
I am really nervous now because I am gonna be a dad. But that’s a new adventure I am more than happy to take on 🙂
So excited for you them! I love the way you write, its very inspiring. I love barns Hugs
So many feelings for you. I hope you all work out a new way to be together.
I know why you are having emotions, happy for them to enjoy their new adventure but sad to be further from them. My youngest daughter and her family live next door…Christine
My Daughter and her Family % Children lived with us 5yrs and 1 yr ago moved about 80 miles away! Hoping for a better life for her children. I know the Hurt and it is so real> I still miss them badly!! My Husband misses them too! Only having been Diagnosed with Parkinsons’ Disease 2 yrs ago he does not feel good half the time so for him it is better not to have any stress or commotion. Katherine my Heart goes out to you and your Husband. God Bless.. <3
I am experiencing it also. My daughter just got married in June. They decided to try new jobs in a new state over 1000 miles away. I am heartbroken but know it’s all a part of their growing up and moving on. So sad though. 🙁
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I feel for you Katherine. Family is everything. We are also split, with one daughter and family in Toronto while we live on Vancouver Island, thousands of miles away. It’s been difficult with the two granddaughters so far away.
We at least helped raise our grandson where we live but now he’s gone to U in the USA, so again, more adjustments. We do our best to keep in touch, phone calls, visits, emails, texting with them all.
Long distance grandparenting is part of living today. Opportunity knocks or the desire to try something else, somewhere else. We have so many choices today. Still, the heart struggles to manage the changes.
Best to you and your husband and your daughter and family. Hugs, Diana
Katherine, thanks for sharing your thoughts on grown kids moving away. All three of mine are out of town. My son only lives 1 /12 hours away but as an ER and trauma nurse, he has crazy hours. Both my daughters and 3 grandkids live in Atlanta and fortunately it’s only a 2 hour flight. I do envy friends whose kids and grandkids are close,but this way I do have my own time and then when we get together, it’s really special. You’ll find your own schedule and balance, I’m sure.
Ah, I can relate. My parents first moved when I was three. Their families lived in North Carolina, and we lived in south Florida. I usually only saw my grandparents once a year. It would have been wonderful to see family more often, but I feel my different experiences made me who I am today.
Our son and grandson live about 30 minutes from us, and we consider it a great blessing. They are wonderful, and we enjoy spending time together.
Fortunately today we have so many ways to communicate. Much more than when we were children. I will pray for your adjustment period, and I know the joy you feel for their new experience will make it all worthwhile.♥
Aw congrats to your daughter’s family, but can understand about the mixed feelings you and your husband are having missing them when they lived only 4 blocks away. Hugs and definitely sending you extra love this weekend. xoxo <3