Adjusting to a new normal

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since my oldest daughter graduated from high school.

But calendars don’t lie and there’s no denying how much things have changed around our home.

Her sprint off to college left us with one less mouth to feed from the food pantry, fewer clothes to fold, and a decline in extracurricular activities. It was an adjustment for the entire household, especially for my younger daughter, who missed her sister dearly.

That was pretty interesting, since the two girls had squabbled for years about everything from toys to makeup. They had always dreamed of the day when they would finally have their own space. But reality hit, and they couldn’t resist FaceTiming every night on their Apple devices.

As their mother, I was excluded from the clique, as always. The sisters needed their private time. So I resorted to calling daily on my own just to hear her voice. My husband thought that was a bit much, but I couldn’t be dissuaded and soon began to feel like a stalker.

Things got a little better as she made frequent trips from Tennessee back to Georgia. It seemed there was always a holiday or family event that she just couldn’t miss. She traveled back on one occasion just to see her sister perform in “Seussical Jr.” at Calvary Christian School. And then she was gone again in a flash.

Yet, it was a good school year for everyone involved. Our college freshman mastered her new terrain, and our younger daughter took full advantage of her sister’s absence, even sneaking clothes into her empty drawers.

That didn’t go over well when the eldest returned from school a few weeks ago to find no room for her belongings. The squabbling resumed and everything seemed back to normal.

But that was just an illusion. Things have really changed, which takes a little getting used to.

When my daughter first arrived, she almost seemed like an out-of-town guest, as she dropped her bags in the extra bedroom.

She’s more independent now and staying out a little later with friends. Our younger daughter, meanwhile, is preparing to get her driver’s license in July and is already looking forward to leaving for college in two years.

All of this means the nest will soon be empty. But this summer, it’s nice to have everyone home.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Adjusting to a new normal."