The end of the calendar year—a time of reflection and a time of wonder. My own year has been an amazing one, and you’ll see some of that reflected in the issue. My husband and I celebrated milestone birthdays this year. We experienced the marriage of our eldest daughter (see “Wedding Bells . . . at a Distance—Conclusion.” In several months, our younger daughter will graduate from college and launch into the real world. During the last half of this year, I began a new job—I’m working remotely as a member of a virtual department, which challenges me on several levels.

With time at a premium, I’ve had to take stock of what is important to me: my family, my career, my writing. I look forward to another year of challenges, of new doors opening, of new directions. Financially, I expect things to change as we pay our children’s last tuition bill. With a now stable job situation, I plan to build on what I’ve learned in the past six months and settle into my work. With The Wedding behind us, I want to use our time and financial resources for other projects. Life has so much to offer!

I hope you find that this year-end issue of Empty Nest offers a lot, as well. I think we offered an eclectic mix of essays and information that will whet your appetite. Ezra Idlet of the musical duo Trout Fishing in America offers thoughts on facing an empty nest. Psychiatric nurse Marian Buckner helps us through the holidays. Donna Faria distracts us from the winter doldrums with tips on bicycling. We learn some year-end wisdom from psychiatrist/author Dr. Dan Gottlieb. Connie Wesley shares her family’s experiences conducting the College Search. And, there’s more—delve into the issue and enjoy!

As for the New Year: Challenge yourself, branch out, enjoy your empty nesting years. After all, that’s what it’s all about: getting the most out of life wherever you are in it. And, you get the most out of it by putting the most into it. Make your New Year’s resolutions, but be kind to yourself. Every step forward is a step forward, even if it follows a step backward. If we find that life offers us little, we have no one to blame but ourselves. You go, get out there, and live! Happy 2008…

Robin Bonner
Editor,
Empty Nest


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