I'm Stressssing Out

Stress.

Man, I thought I knew all about it back in High School, when my biggest worry was what college to go to and whether or not I would make friends. What if I was a big 'ol lonely loser?

Then, when the kids were small, I thought life couldn't get any more stressful, what with bottles, and play dates, and dangers lurking around every corner. What if they got hurt on my watch?

Now, I'm finding that having older kids-adults, really-is just as damn stressful as having infants and toddlers. I actually long for the days of High School and I would totally take being a lonely loser over being a impotent parent, any day.

I can't live their lives. I can't tell them how to live them. All I can do is watch them make their way and pray that they avoid the dangers lurking around every corner. They may be adults, but, they're still on my watch, no matter how old they get.

At least now I know what fills the empty nest.

Worry.