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My view from today.

July 24, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

my view from here is like the top of the Ferris wheel.Today isย significant. If I were to draw a line in the sandย to separate yesterday from tomorrow, today would be that line. The end of a part of my life. The beginning of something new. My view from today is much like the view from the top of a Ferris wheel.

Today, ourย youngest is moving to Denver to start his new job. His career. The rest of his life. Today truly feels like the first empty nest day. The college years merely providedย practice and time to become accustomed to cooking less for supper.

Now things get real.

Visits will be fewer and farther between. And shorter.

Today, I’m at the top of the Ferris wheel. And my ride has stopped just for a moment, possibly while someone else climbs aboardย at the bottom, someone whose journey is only beginning, perhaps a child going off to summer camp for the first time or preparing to start kindergarten in the fall. If I could shout down I’d say, hang on tight! The ride is exhilarating and entertaining and muchย faster than you might expect. (Start that college fund.)

Andย along with the fun, there will be times your stomach will somersault into your throat. You’ll wonder will anyone survive?

You will.

But for now I sit at the top. Rocking. And trying to be brave and feeling so proud that my chest might explode.ย The sun is hot and the air feels lighter and thinner. I am amazed by the view that has sneakedย up on me, and I wish it could last a little longer because I know without a doubt,ย theย rest of the tripย will be different. Still good, maybe brilliant even, but never the same.

And somehow I also know that for me, the ride downย will be much faster than the ride up.

my view from today

courtesy of MorgueFile

 

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]After today, my view will never look the same. #emptynest #timeflies #parenting #midlife[/tweetthis]

Musicial Pairing:

Green Day, Time of Your Life

Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. The moments that used to define them – a mother’s approval, a father’s nod – are covered by moments of their own accomplishments. It is not until much later, as the skin sags and the heart weakens, that children understand; their stories, and all their accomplishments, sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers, stones upon stones, beneath the waters of their lives.โ€• Mitch Albom

Filed Under: Family, Life, Memories Tagged With: Graduation, moving, Tate

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    July 24, 2015 at 7:53 am

    Another milestone. Been thinking of you this morning. “Oh, The Places You Will Go”…….
    Fly, Tate, fly!!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:09 am

      Now we’ll have a good excuse to go to Denver!

  2. Marilyn Davis says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:15 am

    Talya, you hit the nail on the head!! This is true and is written so well. The trip down will be much faster but it will be a good trip… Thinking of you and wishing Tate the best.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:07 am

      Thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate it!

  3. June Graham says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:42 am

    Loved it and so true!!!! Been there- done that!!! I’m at the skin-sagging stage!!!!! Lol

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Haha, you still got it though!

  4. Colene says

    July 24, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I had a little trouble getting through this one, reading it out loud to Tom, voice cracking, chills, and smiles. I’ve been there, done that, as the saying goes. Now the grandchildren bring on new feelings, emotions, and worries. Mostly needless worries, but still! Congratulations to Tate! Carry on!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Thank you Colene. I’m looking forward to the future:)

  5. Barbara thompson says

    July 24, 2015 at 9:10 am

    The best is yet to come!! You will have money left over at the end of the month!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Good point, Barbara!

  6. Edwina says

    July 24, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Another great read with tears in my eyes……….

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Thanks lady!

  7. mark price says

    July 24, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Our mail is inundated with college brochures and Claire will soon begin her senior year of high school. I desperately want to slow my Ferris wheel down but know that is impossible. Alas, my life is good. You are gifted my friend.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you, Mark. Oh goodness. Senior year. It will go by in a blur so hang on! (I hope she decides to be a Razorback!)

  8. Jane Gatewood says

    July 24, 2015 at 11:11 am

    But for now I sit at the top. Rocking. And trying to be brave and feeling so proud that my chest might explode. The sun is hot and the air feels lighter and thinner. I am amazed by the view that has sneaked up on me, and I wish it could last a little longer because I know without a doubt, the rest of the trip will be different. Still good, maybe brilliant even, but never the same.

    YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I’m a few years ahead of you. “For now, I sit at the top. Rocking.” Amen!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you Jane. Guess we’ll ride down together:))

  9. Alyssa Irby says

    July 24, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Now you and my mom have more an excuse to have “play dates” up here!!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Absolutely and that will be a GREAT THING!! Get ready.

  10. Melanie says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Awwww, Congratulations to your son! I’m sure you’re very proud, even though you’ll miss him!!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Yes! Things are exactly as they should be.

  11. Maria B says

    July 24, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    So beautifully written and so personally meaningful to me today. Our youngest will be moving into a dormitory just a few blocks away from you three weeks from today to begin her college life. I have been so aware of the movement of my Ferris wheel as it draws closer to the top for the past few months, but could never fully identify or describe how this feels. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, because they helped give voice to my own life’s current transition.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      You’re welcome! At least you know she’ll be on a great campus! And p.s. – no need to buy all that matchy-matchy dorm stuff. My son left for Denver with less things than he had when he moved into his dorm.

  12. Jennifer S says

    July 24, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions you’re feeling right now! At least he chose a beautiful and adventure filled part of the country! I can’t wait to read about your Colorado adventures!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      Yes, I’m looking forward to visiting:)) Both my kids now live in cool places – Denver and Austin!

  13. IanH says

    July 25, 2015 at 7:04 am

    Empty nest! Been there,done that! It’s tough at first, and for a while. Now you have more time to get involved with other things. :-}

  14. Dorothy Johnson says

    July 25, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Such a sweet post–all so very true, but I always think about something someone wise once said to me. Just think how sad it would be if for some reason your children weren’t able to fly away on their great life adventure.

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 26, 2015 at 8:09 am

      Oh believe me, I am thankful for that every day. I know plenty of people who aren’t so fortunate.

  15. Jim G says

    July 25, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Got choked up reading this. Y’all raised a couple fine people. Go Tate! Show ’em how it’s done. You’ll do great. Best of luck and enjoy yourself. JG

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 26, 2015 at 8:08 am

      Thanks Jim. He’s excited and I’m excited for him. Thanks for commenting:))


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: March 16, 2025

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