Empty Nest Horizon

Five days until the girls move into their own apartment in another city. For the past two decades I've been a part of their every day lives, nurturing, loving, guiding them into adulthood. I wouldn't want it any other way but for them to have become the strong, independent women that they are. Ash has lived on her own before, all the way across the Atlantic. They are smart, savvy. I remind myself that they will do fine. The past week I've immersed myself in lists. Lists of what they'll need in their new home. To-do lists involving collecting moving boxes and lists of places we needed to call (turn on PG&E in their name, line up renter's insurance...). The clerks in Target's check-out line have become my new best friends. Shopping has kept me occupied so I don't have to think about how much I'm going to miss them. Hey, I picked up a vaccum cleaner for you! Look, I thought you girls could use a handled sponge for your kitchen sink. It's my last stab at anticipating their daily needs. Habits are hard to break.

My daughters were part of the Disney movie generation -- back when Disney made classic literature come to life in fantastic animation, such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Tarzan. There is a song I love from Tarzan, sung by Phil Collins, describing how I felt when they were small (though I think they will probably have to sing the first two lines to me, rather than the other way around now). Here 'tis -- dedicated to my beautiful daughters.

"You'll Be In My Heart"

Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand
Hold it tight

I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always

Why can't they understand
the way we feel
They just don't trust
what they can't explain
I know we're different but,
deep inside us
We're not that different at all

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know

When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more

Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always
Always

Just look over your shoulder,
Just look over your shoulder,
Turn around and look over your shoulder.
I'll be there always.

If you would like to hear the song, just click the pause button (looks like ll) on the Playlist on the right side of my blog. Then click the play arrow button below.