Left the nest

The birds have left the nest. After less than two weeks they have 'flown the coop' and are off on their own. They gradually left, one at a time, and only one hung around long enough for us to catch a picture (through the screen on our window). After my quick pic, he jumped right through the railing and flew off, just like a pro. It was as though he had been flying for years. I thought it was interesting at how the nest had expanded to make room for the birds. From eggs to empty, the nest accomodated for what it had in it. Interesting..

I hope that we'll see them flying around the yard. Or maybe they'll make their home somewhere else. I just hope the neighborhood owls don't have them for dinner.

This 'leaving the nest' experience has come at a unique time in my life. I have been thinking just recently that Connor is now 9 and a half. Assuming he leaves on a mission when he is 19, I am halfway done raising him. Halfway through teaching him all that he should know. Halfway through preparing him to be on his own. Halfway done having him as my little boy. How could I be halfway done already??

Have I taught him enough? Have I made a difference? Is my nest widening to prepare him to fly on his own? Since time is something you can't take back or do over, I hope that I've made good use of my time with him so far. Now, can he do his own laundry? No. Can he cook a full meal? Probably not. But he is learning and I'll keep teaching him all that I think he should know. And hopefully he'll be ready.

I hope that the next 9 and a half years don't go by as quick as the first. I definitely want to cherish the moments more, take it all in, and enjoy every minute. I want to seek out more opportunities to teach him and try a little harder to set a good example. And I'm sure that through the second half of our time together he'll teach me more than I'll teach him. And hopefully by then, we'll both be ready.