By Donna Ridenhour-McHenry

Here I sit... tears running down my face... Life goes on, BRAAA!! Lordy how the life goes on!! Beatles song, of course!! 

I'm an OLD mother... 55... with one out of the nest at UNIVERSITY - one still in the nest...

I am also clinically depressed, being BIPOLAR as well. This clouds my issues, of course... though, I do believe that I am suffering to some degree from the empty nest syndrome, as well. 

I have managed to cry... several times since my son left... believing that this is good - it really felt good to let it go. I couldn't cry for awhile - had to wait until all systems were ready!! 

My daughter will be gone next year, too - I have time to find replacement activities to fill the time difference. 

This event, though, with my son at university, finds me noticing how long it takes to build loads of laundry sorted out into whites and darks... and next year it will take longer with my daughter gone. 

What's the big deal, I say? Then I get hit with a MEMORY... of my daughter coming down the stairs - stopping long enough to squeeze the squeaky toy displayed at the landing... 

Next year, I won't have that that memory... and I choke back the tears...

I pray this is true: That new memories will evolve... and WOW, do I have too much time on my hands or what? 

I'm truly saddened by this phase in their and my lives... and just a few more weeks should see the clinical depression abate... then I'll know what's real or imagined!! 

My ignorant sense of humor should help me no different from the past... my luck? They'll be back TOO soon!!