The Empty Nest

Since our last child left, 2weeks ago, I am asked by friends how I'm adjusting to the empty nest.  To those who ask or think of asking, I say;There is no empty nest, here.  Our home is still full.  It's full of our children's clothes, of their books and college notebooks.  It's full of  hockey and lacrosse sticks, of baseball bats and soccer balls, of sleds, toboggans and flying saucers.  We have pogo sticks and bongo boards, fishing rods and BB guns, ice skates in almost every size, from toddler to teenager.  We have cassette tape, beta, VCR, CD's and blue ray movies, songs and "mixes".  We have an assortment of dead computers, radios, boom boxes, recorders and an old sewing machine, used to make one half of a dress.  We have dolls, doll houses, stuffed animals and live animals, bequeathed to us, till death they do part. We have baseball cards, trains, micro machines, super heroes, Legos and assorted blocks.  We have make up, shampoos, skin care products, hair products and pimple medication.  We have bikes, bikes, bikes and even a car, left to decay on our driveway.  There are other things, as well.  Our house is full of memories.  This is where we have reared 6 children, where they took their first steps, listened to their fears, celebrated their accomplishments, dried their tears and prayed for their safety.  It's where one of my sons broke his femur and lived in a body cast for 2 months, where another was home schooled for 4 years.  This is where they had chicken pox, sinus infections and poison ivy.  It's where we celebrated so many things, birthdays, loosing that first tooth, getting the part in the play, drivers licenses, graduations, engagements and even a few weddings.  It's where we say up with fevers, studied for exams, took the long walk down the driveway holding the letter from their first choice college and where the girls cried after a boyfriend broke their hearts.We have had friends live here, when fortune turned its back on them.  Some stayed until they could find a job to support them.  Others stayed until they were emotionally ready to support themselves.  We had relatives live with us and my aunt who died with us.   The spirits that fill this home are happy ones,  reminding us of parties and Proms, births and children's laughter,  friends and relatives we may never see, again.   Holidays-  competitive Easter egg hunts,  Fourth Of July egg tosses and the Great American Camp Out, Thanksgivings where pilgrims chased turkeys around the house and Christmas, sitting on the steps, waiting till Dad came out of the living room and tease that Santa was a no-show.So, when I'm asked if I mind having an empty nest,  I look at them quizzically and wonder why they ask.   Our house isn't empty.   I'm not sure it can ever be emptied of the images from the past.
 However, the kids stuff can go!