Empty nest series — 4— Waves

The feeling I am experiencing in the present day as only less than a week left for us to have an empty nest is Waves. The emotion of emptiness comes in waves now I understand, as of now it's interspersed with the feeling that “Lemme spent as many moments with you in our home”.

When I map it to my experience of leaving my home for my graduation, then the comfort was it was just hours away anytime I could get back. That was around 3 decades back with calling booths as the means to communication than anything else. The comfort now is that we are connected all the time with Tech, so distance actually doesn't matter.

I can totally relate to your sense of freedom which is anticipated to mending life alone further and shaping it as per you. In my time, I hadn't actually given this a thought as I wasn't aware to think of this flight as one out of home. In Malayalam there is a saying “Randu vanchiyil kaal” literally translates into “you are on two boats” This used to be my condition, you are neither in your environment nor at home. This actually creates an unsettling feeling as it does not give a true sense of independence or belongingness in either place. So would suggest considering yourself to be out of our home to your premise which you are building. Just be on your boat and totally enjoy it. There can be an anchoring sometimes only when you think you need it, not under pressure or obligation.

I can also totally relate to the apprehension anyone in your state would have about a lot of unknowns. But isn't that what we all enjoy, the change which would bring us new challenges to conquer and feel ecstatic, relationships to nurture and disregard if need be, failures to learn from, and much more.

Now coming to waves, it is intense sometimes which is overwhelming and thumping on the chest, and sometimes it's a nag that comes and goes.