The Empty Nest Syndrome Hits Home

It is a tough day in the heartland for Dale and me.  Our son, Michael has left home.  He just didn't move out to an apartment in town but is moving to Tucson, Arizona which is about 1900 miles from Fargo.  As you can see in the picture, everything (or almost everything) he owns is in his car.

We hate to see him go as he is such a good kid or young man and has never caused Dale or me a bit of trouble ever.  He has such a good heart and I'm just hoping that he won't get taken advantage of.  He is driving to Tulsa, OK today to see a high school classmate who is going to school there and then will continue to Tucson on Saturday.  He has never traveled like this so it should be a good experience.

He will be staying with a family of a friend, Rob, that he met at Summit two years ago.  Rob stayed at our house for about 6 weeks last year and I'm hoping that Mike is as good a houseguest as Rob was.  Mike has never lived on his own before so this too will be a good experience for him.

He is hoping to get on at a Starbucks in Tucson as there are over 40 of them and he has worked at one for almost a year and knows the ropes so it shouldn't be a problem getting some shifts.  He is going to also be a member of a band that is hoping to tour this summer.  He needs to get work very soon as he is going on a wing and prayer without many resources.

I have written and read about the "empty nest syndrome" but until it actually happens, you don't know what it really feels like.  He went away to school last year but we knew that he could get home in 10 minutes if he or we wanted him to.  This time it is a hard 2 day drive to get home so it won't be very easy. 

I'm hoping that he is successful in his endeavors in Tucson but I'm hoping this is not a permanent situation and our family can be close together again.  I now know exactly why my father wanted everyone to come home for holidays and if I knew then, what I know now; I would have made every effort to be there every time.
 

Other Empty Nest information from the rest of the world

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