Copyright: poznyakov / 123RF Stock Photo
My oldest left for Italy this week. You can read more about that in my shared blog. She is earning her BFA in photography, so she will be living in Florence for four months, taking beautiful pictures and studying Italian art history.
I miss her already.
There are some things that make me feel better when I feel bad. Some cliché, some not so much.
- A hot bath. Not warm, hot. I sit in a hot bath with bubbles and watch TV. Yes, we have a TV in our bathroom. My husband worked for CNN for twenty years, and needed to always, I mean always, be on top on breaking news, so we have a TV in the bathroom. Good for me.
- Chocolate. Of course. I am female, so … chocolate.
- Mexican food. I love Mexican food. I grew up in San Diego, two miles from the border and two miles from the beach. I love tacos and nachos and enchiladas and burritos, and although I know they’re not anywhere near authentic, I will never forgive Taco Bell for eliminating the enchirito from its menu.
- Chick flicks. What can I say? I like happy endings. My daughter will catch me watching them, shake her head and say, in the same tone of voice as if she’s caught me doing drugs or something, “Oh, Mom, you’re not watching Hallmark movies again, are you?”
- Coke. Not Pepsi.
70’s music. As I tell my children, all good music came from the 70’s. That’s why it’s used in commercials and tv and movies and everywhere else.- Scented candles. Actually right now I use AmbiEscents. They’re scented wax cubes you put in a pretty holder and plug in the wall. No flame, lots of great scents.
And in the no explanation needed department: - Hug my kitty.
- Hug my kids.
- Read a great book.
I’m sure I’ll recover in a few days. But for now, you’ll me holed up in my room with chocolate, Coke and nachos watching TV movies or reruns of Major Crimes, waiting for text messages from Italy.
Ciao.
Comments 7
I’ve been empathizing, Carole. Now you’re making me weepy.
Awww … sorry!
Oh girl…you got it bad!!! The Mommy Blues! I have been there. And…as they get older, sometimes they don’t have to be that far away. You have to share them for big holidays because they have to go to the in laws for some of the holidays…just one example. That might be one of the reasons I adopted two babies when my biological children were already grown! LOL. Everybody thought I was crazy…but I love having my younger children as much as I love having my older children! Raising these two beautiful children is sooo different then when I raised my two older ones. It is rearing another generation! Anyway, after your grieving period, pull yourself together, (make sure to dispose of the left over chocolates(if any), and throw yourself into your life of a mother with a grown daughter! Yes, it is hard, but keep remembering when you were first on your own. She will always know you are there for her and YOU are the one that has given her the opportunities she is now acting on. What a great Mother you have been! She will love you always and she will always hold you in high regard for giving her the life she has. She is doing what she loves and she will love you for it! Two have left the nest for me…remember, you will have to cheer me on when the next two are ready to leap! LOL
What a very sweet and encouraging response! Thanks, Patty!
Oh, by the way…you asked what lifts my spirit when I’m down…I think of someone in my life that needs cheering at the moment…and I help in whichever way they need it. Then, If it makes them smile or in anyway feel even a tiny bit better, then I feel better about me. Love, Patty
Great plan…I’m with you, my children have grown up to be my friends. It’s hard to send them away to school each year. When we took Matt to school last year, he gave me a big hug and said, “I’m ready, Mom. I’m fine.” He’s doing great and being a light to others. Next year will be the hardest when I send off the last one…
Yeah .. that will be a tough one.