My not-so-empty nest

Several friends and relatives are packing up the last of their children and shipping them off to college this year. It is amazing the difference in approach from one to another. Some have been practicing for empty-nesting for so long that the departure of the last child is but a hiccup on the radar. Some are pragmatic--this is what we worked for for 18 years, and we've got to let them fly. Still others are devastated by the thought that their work as parents downshifts significantly, while their prayers multiply exponentially as they watch their child go off on a grand adventure. It's hard to relinquish control. It's hard to not have your finger on the pulse of your child's activities, not to share the daily laughter and head the crises off at the pass, not to be there until parental presence is requested. I did that a few years ago, some days more successfully than others. He's doing just fine without me. I will do it again next year, this time with a daughter. That will require a different set of skills than my son did, without a doubt. In fact, with two still in grade school, my empty nest sits on the far horizon. Tempus Fugit. My day will be here before I know it. And when it comes, I hope I have learned a thing or two from all the fine people who walk this path before me!

We are in the dreaded back-to-school holding pattern. This is when I get my grade school supply list out, and the ranting begins! Those of you who know me well may have heard this before--feel free to move on.
Small portions of virgin timber forests are felled every year just to meet the demand for an asinine amount of paper each of my students requires. Having to buy 4 three-subject notebooks and 3 additional one subject notebooks, plus binders, filler paper, folders. Really--how many subjects do we have? Why will one good organizer with appropriately supplied filler paper not suffice? Why must we force our children to juggle all this paraphernalia, when teaching them the valuable skill of organizing with minimal supplies would be so much more beneficial in life? Don't even get me started on buying paper towels, kleenex, ziploc bags and baby wipes. That's a whole 'nother day's boil-over. I finished my shopping today, and so I can reduce heat and simmer my incredulity until some kid comes home the first week of school with additional demands which didn't make the list. It's a never-ending process. I understand that my tuition and "yearly fees" do not cover most supplies, but I will forever believe that a reasonable review of the supply list would reveal some pretty gross excess.



OK--done for now. I feel better.