Well, we are starting a new era in our family: it’s a “no kids in the city” era.

My wife, Lily, and I have been empty-nesters for a few years now but we’ve always had our son in the city … and for the last nine months he’s lived only about five minutes away.

But a work promotion and transfer have taken Mike to Burlington, southwest of Toronto. Now both our kids are down that way.

I’m not complaining because it’s nice that they are close enough for us to get to and not too far for them to sometimes come home.

In fact, after one week on the job, Mike decided to spend the weekend in Kingston since he’s living in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Karlie decided she’d come home too, so we had both kids home … though I think Mike’s idea of coming home was more about seeing his buddies than his family.

We got a golf game in one morning and it dawned on me that this won’t be happening too much any more. And since the hockey season will be starting soon, I won’t be playing hockey with him Saturday mornings either.

No more popping over for lunch in between work calls, or enticing him over for a meal that he particularly likes.

This is just what naturally happens as a family matures.

It sure is different from when I left home. I went to school out west and then got a job further west. I lived away from my family for 15 years before I returned back to the province.

Communication back then was not like it is now. There were no cell phones, no internet. Letters and expensive long distance charges were the order of that day.

Although we are a few hours away from both our children, at least we can keep up by phone (unlimited long distance), text messages, and even video chats.

It’s a different day.

But our home is now down one person who might burst through the door just to say hi or come for a meal. That is gone.

But what’s not gone is all his stuff. We saw the movers come and take his furniture and belongings in their big truck, yet in the basement there’s still a room that seems quite full of his stuff.

… Thinking about it, Karlie has continued to store stuff with us and it’s been more than a few years since she moved out.

That’s different from my experience as well. When I moved to Edmonton, I remember my dad saying, “Take it all, Paul; don’t leave anything!”

I guess it will give us an excuse to visit, and take a box of stuff every time we do.

It’s a new era for us, but it won’t be the last. When I look back, I’ve enjoyed my kids at every stage of their development. This is just one more stage.

Here’s the thing: Take comfort in the fact that God never tires of you. He enjoys each stage of your spiritual development along your life’s journey. His desire is that you will grow, but He is pleased with you right where you are now.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What stage have you had to get used to in your family’s development? Leave your comments below.