Empty Nest Syndrome-What to do, What to do...

It’s here. You’ve worked for this moment. You’ve hoped for this moment. The kids are moving away. What??! Where did the years go?

Big yay! …For them!…They get to fly, to test their wings, to see the world outside of the safety of your warm cozy home. But what about you???

Little yay…your baby is leaving. That is what it comes down to now, doesn’t it? It’s all about you.

I’m an aunt-not a mom…and I’m suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome. The pain is palpable. My youngest nephew is leaving for UC Davis next month. A mom that I work for told me I needed to find a support group. If my pain, as an aunt, is so obvious, what must a mom or dad feel? I can’t imagine. When they are your whole life’s focus, how do you say goodbye?

I don’t think you ever can say goodbye but something has to shift inside…for your own survival and that takes time… and refocusing your thoughts and energy.

Focusing on something bigger, something else…a charity, yourself…all of that stuff that you know and have heard. Blah, blah, blah, right? I know.

But I think it is true and I’m here to say I’m giving it a shot.

This is how I feel better. I focus on something else, something bigger, a charity, me, blah, blah, blah…

I stopped in at Carter Sexton Artist’s Materials, to pick up some varnish for a photography collage that I’m working on. I met Chris Hauser, the owner at Carter Sexton, and we talked briefly about the upcoming holiday art show at Carter Sexton. They’re accepting submissions until November 11. What better time for you to get out those old paintbrushes and start creating something new! You have your deadline!! Get to it! If you have questions about what type of art is accepted etc, call Carter Sexton at 818-763-5050.

Meanwhile, I have been dealing with my own grief and have created a piece I call “Butterflies”. Dedicated to all of our hearts that have loved and watched these amazing children grow up and will now fly away. Corny, I know…what can I say? It’s therapy.

I took my finished piece of art out onto my block and started placing the piece in different settings. Oh, how butterflies love to get around. Something inside me said, place the butterflies here up in this tree, place the butterflies here inside near this window, place the butterflies here and on and on. (What my neighbors thought I can’t imagine!) But metaphorically, placing this canvas of “Butterflies” was an exercise for me to move forward with accepting my nephew leaving. Seeing him (as the art piece) in all sorts of places in the world was the shift I needed to get me through this week. (Emphasis on “this week”).  I see him thriving and exploring. He’s 18 and he’s safe and he’s enjoying. After all, I was 18 and I was safe and enjoyed and thrived. It’s his turn. Why wouldn’t I want that for him?

Carter Sexton Artist's Materials

5308 Laurel Canyon Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA 91607

818-763-5050

www.cartersexton.com

Application for holiday show:

http://tinyurl.com/3dddemf

If you’d like to see more of my work you can go to my website at

http://www.pbase.com/laurie_freitag