So much insight. You better believe I'll be reading this thread come September, 2006. I have a college junior and two high school seniors.

I'm already praying for balance next fall. I know I'll miss the heck out of them because I have been a SAHM all these years and my life revolves around them. Even now while working full time on BWS and NABBW. If one of my kids, or hubby come through the door I drop EVERYTHING if they need me. I can't help it. I've done it for so long. I work around their schedules. Work a few hours, take one to lunch, drive them to the mall, work a few more hours, run to the orthodontist, work, iron a work shirt, work, feed them and their friends, work, get the picture?

For all those suffering from empty nest, think of this as your time. Do what you want. Investigate new interests, perhaps ones you've been putting aside for years. Reach out like you are doing on this site. Everything is better when shared with a friend. And I have found that when I have courage to share honest feelings with other women, I quickly learn their honest feelings which are often very similar. Just that alone heals.