Empty Nest? What's Next?

While raising our daughters, I both worked and stayed at home over the years.  Regardless of my employment, each day began with thoughts of my children--their schedules, their friends, their crushes, their futures.  Did they need a ride, a tutor, a dress for a party, a pep talk, help with their college applications?  What would they like for dinner;  Had one of them become a vegetarian since last Thursday or suddenly eliminated dairy from her diet? 

There was never a lack of purposeful activity for me.  Someone needed something in my household and I was generally the one they turned to.  I loved being that person.

When our oldest daughter, Jacqueline, headed off to college I recall telling her, "Please text me at the end of every day so I will know you are OK."  That practice lasted...never.  I quickly understood that as my child left the nest, it was important that I didn't clip her wings. While we are very close, I'm not involved in her day to day activities and an enormous number of tasks have come off my plate and moved onto hers.  Now with both girls out of the house, I have time for myself I have not had in 21 years.  

A positive, joyful shift occurs when empty nesters become Empty Questers. Empty means we have a blank canvas to fill as we choose.  There's so much waiting for us!  Read on...