We haven’t emptied the nest for long — in fact it’s all a blur.

The final weeks of my oldest’s stay with us were a whirlwind. The doctor of physical therapy changed plans literally overnight and instead of moving to a Titusville clinic for a job, he moved to the Virginia Beach area for a career.

I went down to visit and help him get settled over a short two days. He started with nothing. Craig’s list was a godsend for living room furniture. The wonderful folks at a mattress store helped us get him a bed installed in hours. Macy’s, Target, Dollar Store, Family Dollar and Big Lots assisted with some of the little things.

We dined on seafood on the water, snacked on beer and cheese curls (the only food in his apartment). I took him to work the morning I left and wrapped up a few purchases for odds and ends. He took me to the airport on his lunch hour. It was an emotional goodbye when we both suddenly realized he had launched. He was on his own for real this time — not just off to school for another term or off to another clinical rotation for school. He told me he remembered the cards I had bought him when he left. One was funny — an audio card with pirates chatting up Arrrrrrrrrre you going farrrrrrrrrrrrrr? Are you going in a carrrrrrrrrr? The other reminded him how proud I was of what he had accomplished. I held it together pretty well for a mom.  I got through all the airport security and sat waiting for my plane to leave. The young man sitting next to me, about the same age as my son, called his mom. The loving tone of his voice sounded so familiar, and I burst into tears.

That was a week ago. Now, this empty nest is quiet with a few visits from my youngest who lives at Gannon University. The house is always clean and we haven’t run out of anything — not coffee, beer or milk. Or food. Just kids. Sniff.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.