empty nests

September is here! It always sneaks up on me, and this year it seemed to swoop in on swifter wings than usual. Yesterday our summer officially ended when we said goodbye to Grandma... my mom was with us for much of this season, and now there is an emptiness that my children and I are feeling quite deeply. She acts as such an extension of me with my children and at this vulnerable moment they really needed that extra unconditional love... those fabulous meals and root beer floats were pretty good too... but most of all, we'll all miss those listening ears and warm arms. As we packed up the car for the airport, her nests lay abandoned on the front porch. I asked if I could bring them home with me instead of letting the wind have them during the next storm.



My mom gathered these from weeds in her yard one day and shaped them into giant nests that have been the centerpiece of many meals and a focal point on her deck for weeks. I love discovering bird's nests and have a sweet collection of tiny ones. These two are huge and fashioned by my mother's own hands. They represent all that I hold dear... creating a home and providing security and safety for my baby birds. As my oldest gets ready for his first day of public school as a freshman in high school... I'm oh so aware of how soon he will be flying away. Sigh. I think these will be wonderful reminders, so now I just need to find a place to honor them... and not let my seriousness get in the way of sillies left to be had!