Empty nest Dad

He told me to tell you that

Our baby girl just got her degree from a private Baptist University in December. She’s been on the hunt for a full-time job that pays a living wage. She has also not quite secured that job, at least not yet, so she is working three jobs. It makes for a long day.

Upon graduation, the school that she loves so much—and they said they loved her too—gave her a few days to vacate her on-campus apartment. So much for love. So the 21 year old found some couches to surf on.

Our Klaire Bear found an apartment recently she could afford and a room mate just before the, “I like you but you can’t stay on my couch forever” conversation took place. She is nesting. Gathering used furniture, buying bath towels with mom’s Target card, setting up her memory foam mattress (graduation gift), etc. I think they call what she is doing “adulting.”

She recently joined a church, her first since leaving home for college three and a half years ago. She also attends a small group Bible study. She’s been attending different churches on and off but is settling into one church, which is the Biblical standard and makes her pastor dad and mom happy.

We had a deacon in our church going towards Houston where the philosophy major is setting up home, and he and his wife volunteered to haul a trailer with the last of the 21-year-old’s stuff from her bedroom at our house. The Blonde got all of the things together: a night stand, a desk, a dresser, several boxes, wicker head board and, of course, Champ the world’s greatest Border Collie was on the trip to be reunited with his master.

Before the new apartment lease was signed, I offered to bring the girl back home and pay her bills—one more attempt at keeping her from growing up without her dad.

After the Blonde loaded up the stuff out of her old bedroom I went in and it was almost empty. I laid on her bed and it made me sad. I know I should be happy. She has a degree, she is paying her bills (for the most part) without her parents help, she has friends, she works hard, has a church home, likes the city she lives in (loves the diversity.)

God is blessing her socks off but as she grows up I’m growing old and I’m needed less. This old dad’s heart is happy but also a little sad. Klaire represents the end of the line in our family.

She is the last of four kids, a great book-end so there is no one following behind. Excuse me while I wipe a tear. I tell the Blonde let’s have some more babies but she tells me it’s too late, something about biology.

The Apostle Paul wrote about growing up spiritually in 1st Corinthians 13:11, “When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” Earlier in 1st Corinthians 3:2 Paul says we can’t be spiritual babies forever, “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready....”

The same is true for each of us physically. We can’t stay on mom and dad’s payroll forever, or be dependent on them in other ways. Growing up both spiritually and physically is a good thing and a God-thing, it’s just hard on the old man.

P.S. Good news—Klaire’s air conditioner is out on her pick up truck and she called home wanting to know about the $2,000 it’s going to take to fix it. I told her no problem. It’s why we gave her a credit card. It was the best $2,000 I’ve spent in awhile—she still needs me. Dad is happy once again.