From the moment a squalling baby bursts into the world and changes your life, you know that it’s coming -- the empty nest.

When they’re tiny, you think they will never sleep through a whole night, or learn how to dress themselves, or eat a whole meal without spilling something. They learn to walk, then run, and suddenly you’re watching them climb onto the school bus. And almost before you know it, they're donning caps and gowns and reaching for their diplomas.

Along the way, I've had a few chances to practice letting my chicks go: nervously sending Jimmy off to his first day in Kindergarten, then his first week at summer camp; or living through the tension of Sally’s first softball game in her tomboy years, then watching as she fluffed and primped for her first date.

And Katie, bless her heart, got nursed through all the bumps and broken bones of her horse-loving stage, and suddenly I look up to find that she’s packing her boom-box and heading off to college.

When they were adorable toddlers, I couldn't imagine living any kind of a life without them. But after listening to two teen-aged girls arguing with their brother (for three hours straight) over who had more time in the bathroom and who left the cap off the toothpaste, the prospect of having them move out on their own does not seem quite so daunting.

I firmly believe God invented "the teen years" so parents wouldn’t have such a hard time letting go of their kids. I’m also convinced that (if we’re lucky) He gives us children in the first place so we can learn how to really live.

As parents we don’t teach our children, we learn from them. We get to enjoy them for a few, hectic years, alive with activity. Then, eventually, each bird must grow up and learn how to fly.

My kids have given me so much sunshine, I can’t imagine what life would have been like without them. Granted, they’ve given me a lot of pain and frustration and aggravation along the way, as well. But in the overall balance, sunshine definitely comes out on top.

So, now that they’re all "flying on their own" (I can’t hide behind a child sitting on my lap, anymore), it's time to find some other way to fill my life without relying on my children to get me from one day into the next.

Not an easy challenge. But then, no challenge in life ever comes easy, does it?

Life changes can feel a little scary. But scary's all right -- even exhilarating -- if you approach it with the right attitude.

For the first time in my adult life, I am not responsible for taking care of another human being. It’s just me, my dog and a crazy cat with a water fixation.

It takes some getting used to, this living alone business, but I am adjusting. For you see, it’s finally my turn to fly.

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