Stories from an Empty Nester

Easter comes early this year, seemingly on the heels of St. Patrick's Day and Valentine's Day. It hit me last week that Easter was not as far as I thought, and I scurried to the store to prepare a package to send off to my son. I also shopped for his birthday gift as that is only days after Easter. Each holiday away from home is hard on him, and all the troops in Iraq, but he will tell you, "It's just another day closer to me coming home." Still, to this Mom, it is another opportunity to send him goodies from home, not that I need an excuse or reason to.

Along with goodies from the store, I bought his favorite Girl Scout cookies. Conveniently, they had a table at the store I was at...perfect. I selected his favorite candies, some I was sure he would like, and if he didn't, it was there to share with his buddies. I selected a soccer ball shaped collapsable Easter Basket. He loves soccer, just a touch of him to show I know his life is more than being in the Army. Along with that was an Easter egg shaped soccer ball in place of a chocolate bunny. His goodies all selected, including two very large bags of peanut M&M's, his favorite, I moved on to his birthday gift.

Now, it does get harder to shop for birthdays when kids get older. It is that much more difficult when they are in a warzone. They cannot wear civilian clothes, so that is out. They can have electronic games, but Mom does not always know which ones they like or have. He has no need for gadgets or knick knacks, not really. I had asked him ahead of time and got the usual, "I don't know what I want." So, on the morning that I was to go shopping, he was online, by chance. I gave it one more shot, and was going for a game for his Xbox 360. After about five minutes of him trying to remember the five games he had, and me making suggestions, he came up with, "I could really use a nice digital watch, Mom." I had to laugh, this is all he had to tell me from the beginning. But, with that in mind, I sent him my love and was off to hunt down said watch and goodies.

At the watch display, I was again in a state of confusion. My son had told me, "No metal or flashy colors, stick with basic black." I figured that would simplify it enough. Oh, no....not even close. I picked up a Timex, and thought it was a good deal, but still not all that sure it would serve his purposes in Iraq. It needed to be durable as well as functionable. I was about to takie the Timex and pray it was a good choice when I spotted a gentleman in an Army t-shirt. I hoped he would have a better clue than me.

It so happened it was a Sargeant I worked with during the "Community Supports the Troops" last summer and had done speeches with on Vet's Day. He pointed to the G-Block watches, a bit more pricey than the Timex, but not out of my realm of cost. I selected one, and he wandered back over and asked which one I chose, "Good choice! He will love it!" I thanked him for his help as I know I was clueless.

I stopped at the post office for a Priority flat rate box. I was informed they had now reduced the postage on that box going to APO's by $2. Happy with that, I was off to fill it with the Easter booty and birthday gifts, along with the cookies and cards I had also bought.

I hurriedly, but lovingly filled the basket and placed it in the box. I wrapped the cookies and the watch as birthday gifts, and stowed away the cards. I taped up the box, addressed it and was on my way to the Post Office, 15 minutes before closing. Then the phone rang. I should have let the machine get it, but I answered. Five minutes later, I hung up. Now the clock was really ticking. But, wait...did I really remember the zip code right? I had to check, even if I had written it over and over before. It was right. I now had about 8 minutes to drive the block and a half to the post office.

I was at the post office in no time flat, but had to becareful of how I lifted the box out, my back is still healing. I did this as gracefully as I could, and no harm or foul came to my back. I walked briskly to the door...which was being locked. The post mistress looked up, and without so much as a "sorry, we are closed"...turned her back and walked away. My clock said I had five minutes. Angry, I turned back to the car and drove home.

I mailed the package the next morning. Prayed it would arrive safely to it's desitination by Easter and definitely by my son's birthday. As of yesterday, a full seven days, he has not received it. I felt awful, but we both typed at the same time, "definitely be here/there by my/your b-day"...and laughed. Great minds think alike. I just hope they do not get a hot spell or his goodies will be soup! A lot of choclate was in that box. He assured me it would be fine.

 Still, I wanted him to have a slice of home on Easter. It just snuck up on me this year. Even though I remembered in good time, he still may have to wait for those goodies. Meanwhile, back at home, I have done little to actually celebrate Easter, except to buy goodies for my kids and grandkids. No decorations adorn my windows. I will go buy more for the grandkids baskets, it is a Grandmother's perogative to spoil them at such times. But no dinner will I make again this year. The kids are off to other places, and the back just cannot lift a ham over and over again. My son in Iraq will be home in about 39 days or so. We will celebrate then.

I just long for the days when three little happy faces ran through my home searching for Easter Baskets full of goodies, then dressed in their Sunday best, we went off to church and family dinners. Now, I will see two little happy faces as they look for their hidden bounty of Easter joy, attend church alone and then go to my brother's home for dinner.

I am not sad, really. It is a time of rebirth. Not only in the signs of spring and the renewal of faith in God, but in myself. As my body continues it's journey through healing and I find renewed strength.

Happy Easter all. As you color your eggs,  remember, you are coloring your memories as well, keep them always. Remember, the joy is not found in the hollow Easter bunny, but in the love you receive on Easter and everyday from your loved ones.  That is not so hollow.