And The Nest Gets Quieter...

A conversation I had yesterday with my 17 year old:

 

Mike:  Can you teach me how to make coffee in the coffee pot?
Me:  Um, sure?  Why?
Mike:  Because I start my new job on Monday.  I need to make coffee.

(my baby needs coffee?)

 

Me:  Okay, but you know I make a pot every morning.  You can have some.

Mike:  Yeah, but I'm working 3rd shift.  I'll be gone before you even get up.

 

(oh.)

 

Me:  Hey, did you shave?

Mike:  Well, yeah, Mom, I have to shave for work.

 

(my baby is shaving?  like for real?  not with a popsicle stick or anything?)

 

And so it begins.  My nest is far from empty, but it is getting a little quieter.  My child still needs me, but not in the same way as in the past.  Gone are the days of playing (okay, PRETENDING  to know what I was playing) Pokémon, watching Toy Story and whittling bars of Ivory soap.  Gone are the bazillion rides to basketball and football and child care and bell concerts and talent shows.

 

Here are the days of driving, bank accounts and "real" jobs.  All important, but far less time-consuming for the mom in me.

 

So, I am finding myself with more "me" time than I know what to do with.  Let's face it, the last time I had this much free time, I was 25 years old and filled each and every minute not devoted to working, to partying.  Now, at 40-something-or-other, partying is not high on the priority list.  But what is?  I'm not sure.  Hence, this blog.  I am hoping that by keeping track of my interests, my hobbies, how I spend that free time, I will somehow discover who I am as an individual.

But for now, I am first, foremost and forever...Mom.