One of the kids had always been with us till then .This was the first time we were going to a new place without either of them accompanying us. And the thought they were no more going to seek my assistance to go through their daily routine from waking up to getting dressed to eating their meals on time , that they were no more going to depend on me to select what they wore, be it clothes or shoes, suddenly made me feel deprived of my maternal rights.
I missed my boys all through the journey and images of their childhood incidents and achievements flashed across my mind.On reaching our new destination, I missed those days when we got busy on arrival at a new place with seeking admission in schools, buying books and wrapping them in brown paper, and getting the uniforms stitched. This time there was no such running about to do.We were taken to the guest house where we were to stay put for the next four days till our goods arrived .With nothing much to do I wandered around the guest house, sighting a king fisher or a lonely drongo .Their nests were probably empty too .So was mine now ..
During the days of unpacking and settling down I managed to switch to my positive self and told myself that my sons will learn to survive .. they will fight their own battles and learn from their own mistakes. I need not worry about them anymore.They will seek my help if and when they need me.I have reached a new phase of my life where I have more time for myself and time to do what I want to. During this phase every emotion and conflict is called a syndrome .. and the 'empty nest syndrome' was just one amongst them. I won't make my days ahead depressive for myself ..
Seated on the new milestone I visualized the the path ahead , An overgrown path appeared before me .. one that looked familiar but one not so often trod on. The path led to my home , at the gates stood my parents, looking frail and much older than the last time when I had seen them. They had been guarding their own empty nests, I guess, hoping for and anticipating the return of their chicks some day .
My next mission was clear . After discussions with my brothers and much debating with amma(achan was too incapacitated to contribute his views on the subject), I managed to convince her to move in with us. The day of shifting has been fixed and all arrangements done, My nest now awaits to welcome them .. with reversed roles , the parents will now be the kids and I will hopefully do justice to them by fulfilling my filial obligations .
And thus I plan to feather my nest and fill it once again with warmth , love and care .
“A tree stands strong not by its fruits or branches, but by the depth of its roots.”
