Due to a writing deadline being moved forward unexpectedly to correspond with another deadline, my husband and I dropped the kids (3 years and 1 year) off with Gramma for the week. After a headache of a drive where Gramma's car (with the children in it!) broke down and where our 14 hour drive turned into a 17 hour drive, we arrived home to an empty house.
It is quiet now, sad actually. Is this what it was like before they were born? Of course, we were living in a smaller apartment back then but this house feels unnaturally still. Is this what it is like for empty nesters?
My meals are more sparce. I don't have to worry about tying up the blind ties. I haven't tripped over a single toy. I don't have to put up our "technical" things all the time. I am not picking up constantly or breaking up fights. Our house is calm and peaceful.
Everything is more sober. There are no squeals of joy and excitment. No pudgy-armed hugs. No sticky kisses. No "kiss my booboo's." No "Mommy! I went pee!" Or "Look what I made!"
I haven't read a bedtime story or practiced their memory verse. I haven't put together a wooden train set or changed a doll's diaper. The sippy cups are sitting clean in the cupboard and the gummy snacks haven't been touched.
I like writing and I am very grateful to my husband and mother for allowing me time to fulfill that desire. But I love my kids. It is good to have these times to remember the other choice we could have (and almost did) make - the no kids choice. I am glad we traveled down this path. My children are a bigger blessing to me than I ever thought possible.
Thank you God for making me a mother.
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