Embracing Transition: What I know about being an Empty Nester

This summer was a whirlwind. I bought a new house. I moved to a new town. I traveled with my daughter to play in two different National tournaments for beach volleyball. I fly to San Diego to visit my son. I spent a week in Tucson, to be with my family, and...I moved my daughter into college.

I am now officially an empty nester.

Although I spent all year preparing myself for this moment, it was still hard. I told myself on repeat... "I'm not going to cry. I will keep it together." But, once we had finished packing up the car, and I realized that she wasn't going to come back with us, I cried.

We drove to Atlanta. We spent a few days moving her into her dorm, and getting her all settled. We checked out some pretty cool restaurants. My husband and I even got to attend a concert. Atlanta is awesome! Then the dreaded moment came where I had to say goodbye. I gave her one last hug outside of her dorm hall. She said, "don't cry mom." So I held in my tears until I walked away. But as soon as I turned the corner, the flood gates opened. My baby girl was not coming home with me.

Phew.... it was hard. It was harder than I thought.

But it's all part of the beautiful cycle of this wonderful life we all share.

I am able to recognize this moment, while acknowledging my emotional response to it. It's a beautiful thing to find myself in this place of transition. I consciously took a step back from teaching classes, and working with clients, because I wanted to give myself the space to fully embrace this part of my life.

I am now home. I have been home for 2 weeks, being an empty nester. I am in a brand new house with my husband and my puppy, Daisy. It's quiet. But after all of the movement of this past summer, I welcome the stillness. I needed it to help me recover.

It has been interesting to contemplate all of the transitions happening all around me. I, obviously have transitioned into being an empty nester. I will learn how to fulfill this new role of motherhood. But to recognize that my beautiful children are also in a place of transition fills my heart. My son is learning to be a man while serving in the armed forces. My daughter is growing into herself and learning to live on her own. But I was blessed with another insight this summer. I spent time with my beloved nana, who is 97 years old. I held her hand. I talked to her about life and love. And as I watched her loving eyes look at my daughter, I realized that she too is transitioning. She is getting ready to transition to another form of existence. As my daughter's life is just beginning. I see my daughter's excitement and enthusiasm. Her strength is just starting to take hold. Then I see my nana, sitting delicately in her chair, with just enough strength to keep herself upright. I see my nana's energy permeating through her physical form, her eyes filled with love, and I know that her spirit is getting ready to move on. I find it hard to put into words how it feels to be caught in the middle. I look at my daughter, and I see me. I see who I was just 20 short years ago. I look at my nana, and I also see me. I see who l will be sooner than later. It's a weird and beautiful blessing to see both your future and your past sitting in the same room with you, staring at you, at the same time.

Transitions are a part of life. I don't know why we are so afraid of them. They are inevitable. We will all go through them. I guess the key is to slow down when we can. In the moments of stillness, we are given the clarity of insight. We are able to see beyond the superficial.

Transitions are beautiful. They deserve to be embraced. They sometimes require space. Let's learn to give each other that space. I truly hope that you are blessed with many transitions throughout your life. Whether they are related to motherhood, relationships, career, moves, or loss, I hope that you are able to embrace them. I hope that you have the clear sight to be able to learn from them, and grow. And if you need help getting you through them, find a coach, mentor, or friend to walk with you through them.

Many blessings & namaste,

Sabrina