I
still remember the day my son went to college. How can I forget? As a Hispanic
mother of Italian origin, it was extremely difficult for me to adjust to the
idea that my son would move to another state for many years. Although I was very
proud of him being accepted by a very well-known university, I had spent so
many years making sure that he grew up to be a responsible adult that I knew
his absence would drill a hole in my life. Had I really grasped the fact that
this was only the first of many other absences, it would have been even more
difficult for me to adapt to what awaited me. One Sunday I was finishing some
work at home, and when I looked at the striking Miami sky these words instantly
hit me: “What am I going to do now?” I had suddenly become a victim of what we
psychotherapists call the empty nest syndrome. Gradually my home would become
silent and my dinners would lack that enthusiasm that only young people
emanate. Unfortunately, we humans have a difficult time doing what animals do
so well and so easily: separate from our children once they are ready to leave
the nest. After we dedicate so much of ourselves to raising them, it is with a
broken heart that we see them go. Many years went by from that challenging day
when my son started his life journey, and I thank God every day that he was
able to do it successfully. However, when I look at that striking Miami sky, I
still miss all those hours we spent together a long time ago.
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