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Can you buy this candle on Amazon? Yes, yes you actually can.
Recently I attended a conference in Denver and one of the breakout sessions was titled, “The Empty Nest is Just the Beginning,” lead by Life Coach, Author and Public Speaker, Allie Hill. Our nest isn’t empty yet, but the last little bird is definitely readying for departure. So I went.
The thing I noticed most, was the look of the moms in the room, so similar to that of our moms at MomCo. Our moms of young children are looking to the Mentor Moms not just for advice and guidance, but just confirmation that despite the challenges and sleep deprivation, THEY WILL SURVIVE. And in this room, I saw the same look. Only it was in older eyes, facing forward, hopeful that Ms. Hill will be able to give that same message. Yes, your kids are doing and growing and going, in places you often can’t go too, but… YOU WILL SURVIVE.
Did we believe her? We tried. As much as the mom of a tantrumming toddler believes that one day their life won’t revolve around the color of cups and naptime schedules. But maybe the message wasn’t nearly as important as the fullness of the room. There we all were, sitting shoulder to shoulder, with a million questions and aching hearts (yes, mine is already feeling anticipatory grief). We were together in it, and maybe that was the most helpful and encouraging part of the session.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
If your nest is empty, and you feel alone, please reach out. We have a LARGE group of empty and near-empty nesters (HELLO) in this community. We’d love to connect you. Yes, we will survive. But we really aren’t meant to do this alone.
You can also check out Allie Hill’s wisdom and humor here.
Tifny Mathena
Director of Children's and Intergenerational Ministries
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