Emotions of a Soon-to-Be Empty Nester

I could not stop crying as I was facing the role of an empty nester.

Earlier that day, our oldest son boarded a plane to Texas for his second semester of classes at Baylor University. Because of the pandemic, his semester break had been extended an additional two weeks. As a family, we celebrated the holidays, played cards, stayed up late watching movies, and laughed until we cried. While my heart had been full, my mind constantly reminded me that moments like these would soon be a distant memory.

My life, as I knew it, was diminishing – at least in my role as a mom.

I went from caretaker to supporter, and I didn’t like it one bit. My children are growing older and paving a path for themselves. College and career decisions are made with little guidance from me. Yes, I can offer my opinion (and I do), but it’s ultimately my sons’ decisions on what path they follow. They will have to choose the best course for them, and I will support their choices.

I thought my heart was prepared for him leaving. In fact, my emotions remained in check when we got to the airport. No tears formed when he checked in, but my eyes did well up when we said, “See ya later!” The tears began to trickle down my face as I watched him go through security and disappear from our sight.

Empty Nest

That’s when I began sobbing, and I couldn’t stop.

I cried on the twenty-minute car ride home. I cried when I walked through the door and into the void of my son’s distinctive laughter. I cried when I sat on his bed in his empty room. I cried, partly because I would miss him and partly because my children didn’t need me as much as they once did. I cried so much, my husband and youngest son looked at me with concern.

When a friend texted my younger son to see if he wanted to hang out at his house for a few hours, my sweet son jumped at the chance to leave the house and his crying mom. I can’t say that I blamed him. I would have gone too.

As the night wore on and exhaustion kicked in, the only reasonable thing to do was go to bed early and have myself a pity party. I flipped my tear-soaked pillow over and deeply sighed. I knew sleep would elude me that night. Replaying in my mind the days gone by, longing to live the life I once had, I mourned the role of mom as it used to be. As I shut my light off, my phone dinged. The Life 360 app was notifying me that my younger son was home early from a friend’s house.

“What’s he doing home early?” I thought to myself.

I heard the door open, and his 6’2 silhouette outlined my bedroom door.

“Mom, are you awake? Can we talk?” The tone of his voice instantly told me something was wrong. He shared what had happened that night at his friend’s house as he laid down beside me. I listened, and then I prayed with him.

As we ended our conversation, my son got up from the bed and turned to me, “I left early because I knew I needed to talk to you. I knew I needed my mom. Thanks for listening!”

With my heart full and the tears of sadness turned to joy, I knew that the Lord was at work.

He placed those words on my son’s lips because He knew I needed to hear them. Our God is the Great Comforter even as our seasons of life change. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke these words to the crowd, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) The comfort God brought me that evening was in the form of a 17-year-old boy.

Even though my boys are older and starting to sprout their wings, they still need me. They still need my hugs, and they still need me to listen to them. Most importantly, they still need me to pray for and over them.

I will treasure this night forever. It was a night where grief tried to overtake me, but the Lord brought reassurance that even though my role of motherhood was changing, my bond with both of my sons is stronger than ever. Once you are a mom, you are always a mom.

Wiping my tears away one last time before settling in for the night, my phone dinged with a text from my older son. “Love you, mom! Thanks again for everything!” And with that, I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.


Additional Resources

Watching My Son Walk into School One Last Time

Three Ways the Quarantine Prepared Me For My Son Leaving for College

Five Things to Help Parents Prepare for the College Transition


This post was originally featured in Kingdom Edge Magazine. Click here for inspirational articles and devotions.

3 Comments

  1. Carla on May 28, 2021 at 3:01 pm

    Oh, how I can relate to this, for I am an empty nester. How sweet that your son came home early to talk to you – what a comfort to you. God has been good in reassuring me that my girls are right where they need to be, giving me peace that He is taking care of them when I can’t.

    • Missy Eversole on May 31, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      Thank you so much for your comment, Carla! I realize that I am not alone in my feelings as a soon-to-be empty-nester! God is with our children and us as they branch out on their own! Blessings!

  2. Theresa Boedeker on November 19, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    It is easy to think our kids don’t need us as they grow, but oh they do. We can be the cheerleaders, their supporters, their prayer warriors. They may not admit they still need us, but we can be their safe haven during hard times. It’s not the same dependency as when they were young, but they still need us. God was using them to minister to your heart that night. And on future nights.

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Missy Eversole-0042

Welcome Friends!

My name is Missy, and I love Jesus! 

I am a Christ-follower, wife, mom, author, and speaker. I am dedicated to empowering women to live audaciously for Jesus. Now is the time, friends, to step out of the shadows and tell everyone about Him! 

I am living proof that after being nudged by the Lord incessantly to further His kingdom, He will give you the boldness, courage, and fearlessness needed to accomplish His will.

In October 2021, I released my first book, "Transformed, Not Conformed: Embracing a Life-Changing Approach to Spiritual Habits."

I am the host of the "Bold Faith Now" podcast. The podcast that empowers you to embrace a fearless faith journey. If you want to live out your love and faith for Jesus with unwavering courage and conviction, this podcast is for you! Click here to listen! 

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