Sometimes it’s a thought in the back of our heads.
Most days we try not to imagine that it might happen that way.
Our vision of ‘perfect’ for our kids was always, as most parents is, that they grow up and out, have their own lives, their own loves.
For the most part, we haven’t redefined that vision, that dream.
Some days, though…we worry about this one.
What if her quirks hold her back?
Her misunderstanding of emotion leaves her alone?
Most of the time we ignore the fears. We focus on her growth, her excellent development socially, listen to her dreams of being a model.
Until the day one of our myriad of doctors says, “That one may never leave the nest.”
It puts a rock solid lump in your belly to hear it from a professional.
I guess it’s a good thing my trust for doctors is in the toilet.
Because I refuse to believe it.
At least for today.
And for the future.
Until proven otherwise.
The uncertainty has got to be difficult. My parents always knew that if my brother were to ever “leave the nest” it would be to a group home (he has down syndrome and autism). They still haven’t made that move, and they keep putting it off, because I think now that he’s grown and their two other kids have left the nest, that it doesn’t seem so glamorous after all. 🙂
My cousin has down’s. He made the transition to a group home about 10-15 years ago, I think. A couple of years after his 21st birthday.
I agree, though…having an empty nest isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be…