aren't you afraid for us?

the last adult child is leaving the nest this friday/saturday. yup. moving out into her own place, she's got that f-time job, the roommate - even the boyfriend. we'll be left with her empty room and 21+ years of memories.

the fireplace mantel (new to us since our move in november) is loaded down with pics of the kids - i mean adult children) and i wondered yesterday if that's not part of the empty nesting, thinking one day there'll be something different up there, some fabulous print i just had to buy. i was going through still more boxes the other day, packing, re-packing and i sprinkled just a few of favorite son's and daughter's school-made things around the living room. they'd been in the kitchen on display for years, then in a box, now back out again. i'd never thought of it before in these terms but there does seem to be a bit of nesting going on even in the absence of the children. trying to make sure their presence is still felt here.

the other nite, sis was gone out. as husband and i sat on the sofa together, we took a gander at my pitcher collection (as in pouring water from), named each one and told a story for each (there are 8).  7/8 of them are animals. it was quite a good time but i've had these pitchers for-ever and never have they been named.

i asked sis the other nite "aren't you afraid for us? we sat home the other nite and named the pitchers? we're gonna do wierd things after you're gone." she laughed a knowing laugh and said "no, i'm not afraid."