I just realized something, and it's majorly bumming me out.

This Thanksgiving, my entire family will be here. Me. My wife. All my kids.

It will very likely be the last time I have everyone under the same roof again for a very long time, if ever.

December 1st, my oldest moves off to Seattle, to follow her dreams of being an artist, and get a fresh start on life.

Next fall, my oldest son will be off to college, probably at University of Utah. From that point on, Thanksgivings will be quieter. Smaller. Less full.

Sadder.

My little flock is breaking up, leaving the nest for good. I wasn't prepared for how this would make me feel, but I know one thing: I have to make this Thanksgiving the best one ever. I want everyone going their separate ways with a place they can call home, no matter where they are. And I want them to want to come home.

Sorry to hear, but I'm sure they'll be back plenty, sounds like you have a great solid fam...
look at this way, less youngin's to feed = your mod fund growing

geo2maz wrote:Sorry to hear, but I'm sure they'll be back plenty, sounds like you have a great solid fam...
look at this way, less youngin's to feed = your mod fund growing

I know, right? Our grocery bill plummeted just when my daughter moved out. When my 6'1"/155 lb son leaves, there'll be food everywhere.

more food also means save money which also means more parts all about positives and not the negatives

LOL, we'll see if lower grocery bill translates to more mods.

But I'd gladly keep my car bone stock if it meant keeping my kiddos in my life.

hey i'll come be a kid of urs for ya if that makes ya feel any better

tbot wrote:hey i'll come be a kid of urs for ya if that makes ya feel any better

Two speed6s in one family is critical mass.

this almost brought a tear to my eye... Ok,, well maybe not,, but still it was kinda sad to read.. Just cuz your kids are moving away, doenst mean they will be away for good.. They are gonna get extremely home sick and holidays like Thanks Giving and Christmas are good reasons to come home and visit.. Your kids wont be gone for ever, they will be back and you will have this moments to cheerish again..

tbot wrote:hey i'll come be a kid of urs for ya if that makes ya feel any better

lol adopt a tbot

They will be back. I mean look at me, two years away and I'm back seeing my parents every day. I missed them a lot and I know it's going to suck when I leave again. I just take every day for what it is and make the time I spend with them moments I'd like to remember.

I don't know if somebody has already said it or not, but it could always be worse.

If you pause for a minute, think of all the people out there who have no family around anymore to celebrate with them. Not just for Thanksgiving, but for every day. Children who don't have their parents anymore. Or worse off, parents who have lost their sons and daughters. The elderly who have lost their lifelong spouses...

In the big scheme of things, having your children grow and get out into the world on their own, isn't such a bad deal! Certainly not something that I'd normally expect to see somebody bummed out about; considering.

But anyway man... I'm not trying to downplay the love that you have for your family. I can absolutely relate to that, and that really is neat. But I'd only encourage you to try and be a little bit more glass-half-full in life. The struggles and the difficult times that we think we have sometimes, are the same things that other people might just give their last living wish to have... And when you stop and think critically about that for a minute, things like this just might feel a little less "woe is me", but instead, something to smile over.

P.S. Good lookin' family you got there.

Yeah, it's definitely a mixed bag of emotions. I'm proud to see them off on their own, and relieved I got them to this point. And my bummed-out-ness is mostly selfish, because I won't get to see them as much. It's kind of that melancholy feeling you get when your life turns the page into a new chapter. The era of having them at home, have my nest full, is coming to an end. But I'll get to see what great things they do out in the world. And I'd better get used to this. I still have two more kids to go.

Stealth01 wrote:Two speed6s in one family is critical mass.

You're just jealous cause mine is faster...its ok I'll take you for rides

tbot wrote:You're just jealous cause mine is faster...its ok I'll take you for rides

Right now, you'd need a tow truck to do that.

^^shhhh!!!!