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September 3rd, 2009
Well, this picture kinda tells you what I’ve been up to for the last few weeks. It all started on August 8th down in Bramford, Ct. My oldest son Ben tied the knot with Jess (she’s the one in white that isn’t Danny). I always wondered what it would be like to do the ceremony for my own kids since I’ve probably done well over a 100 for others. Let me say it was one of the happiest days of my life. Looking at the joy on the faces of these two was incredible. Having both my daughters (Jackie and Bethany) and my son (Dan) in the wedding was a kick as well. God gave us a gorgeous day and I will say the food and the dancing at the reception were top notch. Of course any time I’m on the dance floor it is “top notch” lol. Someone asked, “will you do your daughter’s weddings??” Short answer– “not a chance”. Let’s be honest. Watching you son marry an amazing young woman is a real blessing. Watching any guy marry your daughter– no way he’s good enough for her :). I’ll walk ‘em down the aisle, but somebody else has to do the ceremony.
Well that was the “add 1″ part of the story. I’m now a father in law, and there’s a new gal in the family. That’s good news. Now for the “not always good news”. We rolled back in from the wedding, and immediately started getting ready for the Exdous. Not quite as big as the biblical one, but equally exhausting. Thursday evening (13th) Jackie and I headed south- me in a truck, her in a car. First stop Philadelphia. We rolled in Eastern University at about 2am, dropped the car and kept heading south. Destination - Anderson University, South Carolina. 4pm the next afternoon we were there. Gotta say, the drive through the Virginias is gorgeous. Met up in Anderson with mom and Bethany, who flew down.
Said goodbye to Beth on Sunday, put Jackie on a plane for Philly; then Kath and went to DC to cry for a couple days. One stop on the way home in Philly to spend a little time with Jackie and Danny; then it was on the road to Durham– arrival time 3am Friday the 21st.
So here we are– added one daughter and said bye to 2 daughters and a son. We are officially empty nested. It really was strange walking into the house after the trip. Just seemed so empty. I guess ya say a “new day” begins. What will it be like? How will we adapt? Not sure. This parenting thing has dominated life for 25 years. And even though we are still very much parents, it is on to new things. So any of you “empty nesters” out there– got any words of wisdom for the nubies?
Bob Harter said:
You are absolutely correct, Terry, about marriage of son vs. daughter. I can now speak to both. When Carl and Eric married, down deep I had a sense of fulfillment. The family was moving on and two daughters were added. I was surprised by my feelings when Laura married. We really like Anthony and do feel like he is “worthy” of her. We feel that the match was an answer to our prayers that God provide a loving Christian as a husband. However, down deep I had a sense of loss! It was strange. Rather than a feeling of gaining another son I felt that I was losing a daughter. Suddenly I began to understand the basis for paying a “bride price” in many non-western societies.
Sue Gonet said:
Dear Terry and Kathie,
My heart goes out to you two as you go through this process. Everything happened so quickly and along with empty nesthood is a little post wedding let-down! I found crying was very helpful as well as planning events that will bring your whole family together and just connecting with other people who have been through it. I like that our family has grown. Charlie and I are going to be grandparents for the first time in March, God willing…and life marches on.
Stay strong in Him,
Sue
terrysharbaugh said:
Thanks for the comments. It is a new stage of life, and some of it is really good– this Sunday we start dance lessons over in Portsmouth. Next stop– dancing with the stars !!!