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Ofifoto's avatar

My boys are 21 & 19 and we have raised them well. They are fine, independent young men, but they still need mum & dad sometimes (even though the eldest won't admit it!). I'm anxiously waiting for the day they live away, but we just might follow them, haha.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

What we do for our kids… I’ll bet your sons are delightful.

We are most likely moving east again to be closer to our kids. I never feel like they need me but have to trust they do on a different level.

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Ofifoto's avatar

Heart swell at the thought of the exciting times ahead for you all.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

So sweet. 🥰

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Deborah L Reiser's avatar

l Love this piece. Beautifully written. I miss my boy everyday. This boy who, thankfully is thriving and not missing me.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

He’s too busy to miss his mama.

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Adrian Zidaritz's avatar

But the dog may be worrying about them moving in !

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Bill Southern's avatar

Great piece! You’re right about the grandkids (my wife and I have five), although we get deathly ill after every visit with them - an immunity issue, I suppose.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

It’s universal.

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Ro's avatar

Now that I see how confusing my kid being independent in college is--I am so glad I spaced them out in the ridiculous way I did and had my kids way too late.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

🥰🎉

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Ororo Munroe's avatar

To quote a great question from a Seinfeld episode—Do you ever yearn?

I do this whenever I visit my BFFs or vice versa. I cry when see them and cry when I have to leave--or they leave. My BFF also lives in MA, but in the city of Concord.

I just ate a whole chocolate bar. What did you just consume? I brownie. LOL

How’s your day? My day started off with an appt with a gyno, so.... LOL. I wish every weekend was a 4-day weekend. Or, at least, a 4-day work week.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

You know the trials of the heart. 💜

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AMALIA VILLALBA NUÑEZ's avatar

FELICES ANOTHER HEART PIEDE

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Cindy Ojczyk's avatar

Your pain touched the same nerve in my heart that begins aching 24 hours before I have to leave my adult children. Ugh. Go pet the dog. It helps!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Fellow empty nester. 🙏 Thx for reading and commenting. 🥰

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Katharine Strange's avatar

This is a good reminder for when my tweens are driving me up the wall, haha. For real, though, we moved closer to my in-laws when we had kids and it's a lifesaver just knowing they're nearby if needed

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Lucky in laws! When we lived for a year near Jeff’s step ma she was threatened and resentful of the idea of baby sitting our kids. I learned what I will never do with my kids.

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AMALIA VILLALBA NUÑEZ's avatar

GOOD HUMOR GRACIAS

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AMALIA VILLALBA NUÑEZ's avatar

GRACIAS

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Vicki Tashman's avatar

I loved this essay, very much from the heart. I feel it too every time I say goodbye to my daughter. We raise our kids to leave the nest, but we will never know how far they will fly. I pray each day that my daughter and I can live closer. Thanks for sharing your feelings.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Thx, sis. We share an emotional nest and for that I'm grateful.

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AMALIA VILLALBA NUÑEZ's avatar

GOOD HUMOR GRACIAS

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Thank you for this gorgeous, heart-centered piece. There ARE two parts to your heart - the heart you've left behind with your lovely kids and the heart you share with us as you write. I have been surprised how difficult it is to say good-bye each time, I thought it would get easier, so reading this felt like you were nurturing me from the inside out. Thank you!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

I thought it would get easier too! We know the love grows like a Redwood but no one tells you the heartache persists.

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AMALIA VILLALBA NUÑEZ's avatar

GOOD HUMOR GRACIAS

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Armand Beede's avatar

CK Steefel: What a wonderful spirit you share and happy pictures of your beautiful family and a generous, loving spirit. Thank you so very much for sharing of your heart.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Thank you for reading and commenting. 🥰🙏

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