Diapers to Diplomas

It seems lately that I have been the recipient of overdosed reality checks.  Because of my choice to adopt after my birth children were nearly grown and one already out of the house I realized this week that I have been raising children for 35 continuous years.  That sobering  joyful thought lead my mind to thoughts of what my life now looks like in the lives of these amazing children.  Why did it smack my eyes open?  In a few short weeks that baby boy will be driving! YIKES! , My first grandchild is 5 years old today, and in 2 years my nest will be empty again.  While I WAS a self proclaimed poster girl for empty nest syndrome 15 years ago I can guarantee you won’t find me on that poster again! 

I loved and still love every moment of being a mom.  My life recently came to a huge fork in the road and I had to choose which route to take.  Sometimes the road to get there is filled with rocks and pot holes but when your destination is reached I hope like me you find that you chose the road that your heart desired and found peace. 

As my thoughts were flying all over the place with regards to these reality checks I could not help but smile at the tremendous changes that take place when your children become adults. 

My first born an Officer in the United States Navy exposed me to the Naval Academy and the pride felt each time I visited him there.  It was here his life as an adult child began.  That career has afforded him many wonderful opportunities, likely they are more glamorous through my eyes than his.  That same Career has taken him away from me and sent him to foreign countries.  It has handed us Holidays without him.  It has given me great locations to visit him at.  It has made me honor our country more than I ever had.  This man met his wife and together  has given me two amazing grandsons.  These grandsons have given me glimpses of my past when their daddy was a little boy.

My second born and only daughter grew wings early and took flight spending a year in Germany on a Congressional Scholarship.  This experience was one of the most conflicting I had ever faced.  Thrilled for her and this accomplishment and what it would mean for her and sad to face a year without her.  Upon her return she chose a College out of state and there her life as an adult child began.  It was here she found the love of her life and it was this state( NC) she chose to call home.   She has Blessed me with two beautiful granddaughter’s her first and my first grandchild.

Soon my last little charge will sit behind the wheel of a car and in a couple years he will look around the nest and he too will spread his wings and be gone.  Just like that my nest will be empty again.  The difference is this time I am ready.  I have Peace. His life as an adult child will likely afford me additional firsts.  Our relationship will shift as he becomes more independent.   Who am I kidding he’s a boy and they always need their Mama’s

 I know that being a mother to an adult child offers so much joy as well.  Reaching adulthood does not mean the termination of a loving good relationship with the people who raised their babies from diapers to diplomas.   

Adult children are an extension of you and their children are an extension of them.  Some may say life has come full circle but when I hear that I feel like it denotes and end.  I know there are more experiences, more joys and more life to be added to our life, making our circle continue to grow.  No the circle isn’t closed just yet.