There comes a turning point in every women’s life, when you take stock and know you are at the crossroads. When we first moved to this house I thought life was too perfect. My husband and I built this beautiful home moved in with 3 boys, 6 months ,2 1/2, and a 5 year old. Not to mention the Australian Shepard and the Nanny. We were a full house. Steven went off to work in a family business and I stayed home to raise my brood, surrounded by unsuspecting unfriendly neighbors. So, by 4 o’clock in the afternoon I started to look forward to a glass of wine and a 1/2 hour phone call to one of my friends that I had left behind in a state away. They felt close enough to regularly stay in touch with, but were too far away to see often.
So by 4:00 “tea time,” I had a very special allure. I never had more than 1 glass, but within 2 weeks I knew I had to get out of the doll drums and face whatever it was I needed to face. So I did. It took 5 more years of focus and attention but we made a wonderful life with close friends. I had made the decision to be a stay at home Mom which was a very good choice for me. My world revolved around my family including volunteering in the schools and running like a crazy person after school and weekend activities. All three of my sons are great. Now 2 are in undergrad and 1 in law school. So, I took care of business and now I am facing another chapter.
But I am swirling back to a mini crisis again. So , here I go again, except I purposely save that drink for Sat. night out with my husband and friends. There are days in the middle of the week when I might indulge in one too many girls-out lunches. Those are the days when I feel good, but there has to be more to life than retirement at 53. Especially when you have those chance meeting with long forgotten friends in the supermarket. And that proverbial, suburban cliche questions invariably comes-up, “So are you an empty-nester,” I HATE that expression what does that really mean, it sounds so barren and alone. If you have a home and perhaps a husband or significant other even a dog or cat you’re far from alone! Sure it’s different but it doesn’t have to be lonely or empty. But it could be if you let it!
This is what my writing to you will be about, it’s time to move forward and rediscover. For some reason when I am happiest it is always around food, and it’s not that I eat a lot because I don’t. But I love to socialize and travel and explore. An exploration can be no further than a new shop down the street, infact this marvelous man just opened this unique cheese shop in the town over. More about that another time. And now for the recipe of the day…
