Home Again

...sometimes it's not about where you are going, but where you are now...

My oldest daughter came home today from a one year stint as a live in nanny, and although she was only 45 miles away, it may as well have been a million miles for as often as we got to really spend any quality time together. She was devoted to her job and she did it well...but she soon grew to realize that it was not just a "job" but a "life." She left a big, nowadays even huge, family of seven thinking it would be cake...watching two little kids would be nothing after the pitching in and hauling around and chasing the tails of the four siblings she left behind. I told her, of course I told her, that it would not be easier, just different...maybe even worse. Wouldn't she miss the ones she loved and lived with all these years. Couldn't she just stay home and do her online art courses? Why did she have to leave home to work? It was an adventure to her...

...well her year ended yesterday. One long year of learning and looking back. She left four devoted and worshiping siblings for two tired and clingy little ones. She left a room & bathroom shared with a sister for a big lonely one all her own. She left chaotic sit down dinners for seven and crazy schedules for strict routine and two very different dinners for two very different kids. She packed all of her things up and into my one big old suitcase and headed to where the grass is greener.

...and then she woke up one day and realized she missed home. She missed the chores and the obnoxious game nights and me dumping half my day on her, begging her to help me out... She didn't want to "run" a family, she wanted to be a part of one.
She missed "the nest."

And I am pretty sure she missed us all too.

And I even think she might be glad to be back home.

For now.

(and I am happy my NEST is one child the fuller again)