There is always that immediate feeling of complete silence after the guests leave. I can almost hear a humming sound in the air. What is that? Did I hear the faint footsteps of my two grandsons? Was that a giggle out in the backyard? What is that shadow near the window?
It usually takes me a few days to get back into the groove of my regular routine. Something seems off and I need time to process the sadness I feel. Having a family to love is a good thing. The sadness after they leave means that we have a good connection with one another.
Clean up
There will be a lull in life as I clean up the house and put things back in order. No longer is there a pile of shoes near my front door. I will strip the beds. The sheets will be washed. Extra food has been put away or tossed if it was no longer fresh.
Even the house seems to sigh with sadness. My dog is looking around for the children who chased her for the past week. She curls up in a tight ball on the couch before falling asleep once she realizes there are no little hands nearby.
Planning for Future Guests
I am already planning for future guests this summer. I will try not to mourn before the guests leave, as I often do when thinking about their inevitable absence. Sometimes I think it would just be so much easier not to care. But, I do and there is no changing that.
What are your thoughts about having house guests? I would love to read your comments.
Thanks for stopping by!
2 responses to “After the Guests Leave”
Yes,yes, having the separation blues is a bit painful, but, as you say, way better than no feelings.
And usually, a sign that the highlights of the visit were so good. An activity that works for me, is to post on a blog or in a digital account (e.g. Snapfish) some of the pictures of the visit. It is way to have the joy of the visit a linger a little longer.
Hi Joan,
I love this idea! Caleb just turned 5. I had a photo tile made of a picture from the zoo of him with the giraffes behind him. He loved seeing the giraffes at the zoo. The excitement on his face is a really good memory from their visit. I am going to make a copy of that same photo for my wall:)