It's Time

Walking into the future (Photo by Kimberly Cyr

It's time. Time to let the youngest fly off to a new home and career, with a new husband, to start a new life. The wedding has been in the works for nearly two years, but it always seemed to be something distant, something "way down the road". The location was secured, but had to be changed when the original choice was sold to be used for another purpose. The scramble for a replacement was successful and the work began in earnest on flowers, food, and music. Still, that was months ago and October 17, 2009 was still far in the future. Or, so it seemed. The calendar pages turned rapidly and spring turned to summer and summer turned to fall. (There's a song in there, someplace, isn't there?) Now, the big day has come. And gone. I started writing this before the wedding, but didn't finish it until a week after the big day. It hasn't been easy to write, but it has been good for the heart and soul. No matter that her husband is a wonderful young man, everything we could have wanted for her. No matter that she's already landed a great job, in the profession she loves, in their new hometown. All things considered, it's a perfect scenario. Still, it's tough to step back and realize that, after the honeymoon, the real "new beginning" is upon us. We've been packing their wedding gifts this week, although (truth be told) we've been avoiding the work because it solidifies the fact that the move is imminent. Today, the movers dropped off the "relocation pod"; it's parked in the driveway, waiting to be filled with all those gifts destined to make their house a true home.

Our home, meanwhile, will fall eerily quiet. They'll be taking their dog with them, silencing the frequent outbreaks of barking as he tries to convince one of our dogs to play. It will, in fact, be TOO quiet. Until we figure out, as have thousands of other parents, how to fill the days with a new focus and explore the technologies that will let us communicate more easily across the miles. By the way, how did our parents keep their sanity when we took off on lengthy "road trips" in the days before cell phones? There's another column lurking in that question (and it's answer!).

Step into the future, kids. There's a whole world of problems facing you, but I believe that you're the best-educated and best-trained to figure out how to make things better.  No pressure, but we're counting on you! Step into the future and live it. To the fullest.

UPDATE: Their long drive to their new home is complete, albeit even longer than expected - thanks to a rock slide that blocked the interstate along the way! The "pod" packed with wedding gifts and clothing has been picked up and is on the way. Hopefully, everything will arrive intact. And, yes, the house is quiet. And the dogs did mope all day Sunday, eating and drinking very little. They seemed to step closer to their normal selves today. We will, too. In time.