Once upon a Monday, I wrote a part of today’s offering, and then I made up the rest this Monday.

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Once Upon a Monday

Note: this part of the post was originally written October 1st, 2013, and most of the blogs (except the Whirl) are not active anymore (though you can still access the site).

For Magpie Tales (photo – below right), Sunday Whirl (Unbidden sharp hillside patches edges spill swarm exact where gathered ghosts), Sunday Scribblings(Red hot), Succinctly Yours (photo:below left), word: myriad – 51 words)

Echoes of Magic and Memory
With all his myriad possessions
bundled high upon his head,
he climbed up a sharp hillside
Past the unbidden patches
To the exact spot where
Was rumored that ghosts gathered
Where the world spilled over its edges
Where magic glowed red-hot
Where wishes and charms swarmed around
He walked on – into oblivion.
~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInReadWrites

Musings Once Upon a Monday

What do you do when life gets in the way, and you just don’t have much time to read? Do you complain or do you accept it? Do you do everything in your power to make time to read? 

Reading is in my blood or so it feels.. Reading for me is magical – of course!, medicinal – makes me feel better no matter how I am feeling.  I always have something with me to read – on an e-device or an actual book – so I can sneak in a read – in the waiting rooms in doctor’s offices, while I wait for my carpool outside my house, while I am cooking(so meals take longer to cook!), well, just about anytime and anywhere and anything as well from comics to articles to blog posts to books. But life still can get in the way and I sometimes just cannot make time to read – it does make me feel as if something is missing but I take it with a BIG grain of salt.

The Monday After: Reflections on Life as an Empty Nester

Once upon a Monday morning, the house was full of chatter—sounds of getting ready for school and the familiar “Mom, have you seen my…?”

But now, the house is quiet—almost too quiet. The usual rush of the morning and the general fullness of the day is absent. For years, these sounds were the soundtrack of life, filling every corner with the bustle of family. Now, as an empty nester, Mondays—and every other weekday—look different. There’s a stillness, a new rhythm to adjust to, and space to think.

Navigating the Transition

As a novice empty nester, I find myself wondering: Am I stepping into a state of oblivion, or one of hyper-focus? I have to remind myself constantly that it’s just the two of us now. When I start prepping dinner, I have to remember to cook for two—otherwise, I’ll have food for four. At least that means I won’t have to cook again tomorrow!

Sometimes, I call out to my daughter, expecting her to be in her room, as she was throughout high school. Then it hits me: she’s a few hundred miles away at college, and I’ll likely get a “Can I call you later?” when I reach out.

On the bright side, I’ve reclaimed some space! I filled up those now-empty closets with the board games and books that used to clutter the living area. When they return for the holidays, they’ll probably have to live out of their suitcases—unless I find a better storage solution.

The first few weeks as an empty nester flew by, thanks to the Golu festivities, but now that it’s over, I can feel the gap in my routine. The absence of the ‘life-before’ lingers.

Embracing New Opportunities

But I also realize this new chapter offers an opportunity—to rediscover parts of myself that were set aside, to nurture relationships that may have been on hold, and to explore the world with fresh eyes. It’s an invitation to reflect on the past with pride while stepping into a future filled with possibilities.

And as I look back at my musings on that Monday once upon a time, I should maybe rediscover reading in a whole new way and explore writing as well with new perspectives.

So, once upon this Monday, I sit with my cup of chai, reflecting on the quiet and what it means. The nest may be empty, but my heart is full—full of memories, pride, and excitement for the unknown that lies ahead.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And Now, the End of this Post

Dear reader, what are you musing on or about? Share your musings with me. And are you an empty nester? If yes, share your experience and tips too.

“Empty nest is not just about the loud quiet. It’s about being at the center of your own life where your kids used to be. You’ll be encouraged to embrace your freedom, go back to school, volunteer, but coming first again is not as easy as it sounds. It feels like wearing shoes on the wrong feet.” ~Susan Bonifant