I was never in a rush for my children to grow up.

But, they did it anyway.

I find myself with an almost empty nest. My 23 year old son now lives and works in New York. My 20 year old daughter moved into her first apartment a few weeks ago--and is loving it--as she should. And my 18 year old daughter is technically still living at home, but college classes and work and friends keep her busy most days. I know she still lives here because her laundry is in the dryer and her car is occasionally in the driveway.

But, while I am seeing my three oldest grow up and move away, I have an almost 6 year old at home. A completely empty nest is a far-off reality. I know that she will grow up fast too. (I'm still not sure how it happened so quickly with my first three.)

Life for me is an odd, out-of-step pace. A mom of three young adults who need me less and less. A mom of a kindergartner who wants me ALL the time! And I'm still trying to--what? accept, balance, get the hang of--my life nowadays. My life is a study in contrasts, in opposites. Letting go of my first three children and then looking down and seeing a young child hanging on my leg.