Empty Nest happens

I write now as I step from 36 years of full-time mothering into the brink of the unknown realms of empty-nesterhood. How energizing and exciting to make this transition by taking Jonathan to BYU! (I did this two weeks ago -- we left home on Tuesday, August 26. It would have been Grandma Vivian Spencer's 95th birthday!) I see that opportunity as one of the positive aspects of the demise of the little maroon Honda, Frank, that Jonathan had been driving during high school. (I'll have to think about what the other ones were...) If the car had continued to exist, it certainly would have gone to college with him. Then how would I have had the opportunity to go along? Surely I would have come up with something. I wanted very badly to go.

BYU is unique and wonderful. I wish I had had the opportunity to go there. Sending ten children there, however, has been even better. At the parent sessions of orientation I thrilled at what a privilege and blessing it is to obtain an education there. The video presentation of the history of BYU filled me with appreciation.

I'm reminded of a story Paul Rockwood told in church a few weeks ago. He related how he had always wanted to catch a baseball at a major league baseball game. He had followed the Padres for years as a youth and attended many of their games, never having the good fortune to catch a ball. Then, in the recent past, he was at a game with his son when a ball was indeed hit their way. In fact, it came right toward them. Paul nearly caught it, but it glanced away toward his son, who became the lucky catcher. He related how, as much as he himself really wanted that, it was even better for him to see his son have the opportunity. Nephi expressed the same idea in 2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

As far as how life will be different now, I'll just find out as I go along. So far (two weeks), it's been busy, and a lot of business as usual. Richard still works every day. (He leaves every morning in the truck and works on the apartment projects. This takes all day every day, and will never end.) I still do everything I can with the family. I still have office responsibilities with our apartment business. We did go for a fun mountain drive with our friend Leland Hansen on Labor Day. That day will go down in history as the first Labor Day ever in Richard's life in which he did not labor! (He disagrees, counting a late afternoon trip to the apartments for something as still working.)

Last weekend we went to Albuquerque for the baptism of Benjamin and Merideth's son Paul. What a treat to spend a couple of days with their fun, lively family! We also got to stay with my brother John and his wife, Vickie. Perfect! We got to see everybody and be participants in a landmark occasion for Paul.

On Monday night when we got home from Albuquerque, it didn't take long to get lonely. I whipped up a batch of Joe's Pina Colada Ice Cream (he made it at their house on Sunday, and gave me the recipe). We took it over to the Winders' house for family home evening treats! Good thing we have them here!!!!

Today Heidi and her children are coming. I can't wait! On second thought, I'd better get busy! Need to rotate laundry, clean bathrooms, etc. Back to normal already! :)