Ranch Dressing & Nests

I opened up the refrigerator and noticed the ranch dressing bottle hanging precariously on the door shelf where it doesn’t belong.  I stood there looking at it, tears welling in my eyes, preparing myself for a major transition in our family. You see, my middle son, Henry, is leaving for college tomorrow. I knew he was the salad dressing culprit because he has a rare affinity for ranch on his pepperoni pizza, which he had for dinner.  
 
It has been an odd week full of many unexpected emotions and flashbacks. Henry has always been my most sensitive child. He can always “feel” when I’m a little off and somehow “knows” that perfect moment when I need a big hug or a sweet text. He has always called me “mommy”, even at almost nineteen years old.  Heading off to college is a transition in his life that is going to happen. You raise your children the best way you know how and somehow gather the courage to watch them fly off into the next chapter of the rest of their lives…
 
There is one thing that I know for sure and that is, nothing ever stays the same. We get comfortable in our little nest with our babies and our careers and our friendship circles and all of a sudden, the nest gets flipped over and all you can do is try and land on solid ground.
 
But sometimes…you fly!


 
Having my nest flipped over was one of the best things that could have ever happened in my life. I would have never had the courage to pull myself out of my comfort zone and go for dreams bigger than I could have ever imagined. In the midst of all the college planning, I’ve been navigating a new chapter of my own. I am in the midst of all of the many preparations that come with debuting a romance novel and cabaret act while holding down a full time job, singing on the road and taking care of my family. My debut novel is on track for a 12/12/16 release date. I just got word from my publisher that my cover reveal and pre-sales will be on 10/16/16. My composer has been emailing me daily with questions about my music charts for my cabaret act that I am debuting at a huge book release party on 12/13/16. I have secured the theater for the event, have two out of three musicians booked, my best friend MC-ing the show and a few friends flying in. I’m speaking to promotional companies about blog tours, cover reveal parties and give-aways. I’m trying to find the perfect red dress in August for a party that isn’t even happening until December!
 
As excited as I am for Henry and his new adventure, it is comforting to know that he is excited for me too. My sweet boy has promised that he will be there for me at my book release party, ready and willing to do anything that needs to be done. I have promised him that I will send him whatever he needs (ranch dressing included) while he is away at school. I told him that when he comes home, I’ll even wash his dirty laundry. You should have seen the smile that lit up his gorgeous face. “Thanks, Mommy,” he said. He is going to do wonderful things with his life, no doubt.
 
Fly beautiful boy… fly!

​KG
​xoxoxo
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