WAKE UP NIGHT SHIFT | Special ‘Empty Nest’ edition

EDITOR’S NOTE: A special edition of Wake Up! on ETBlitz, sponsored by Cozy Coffee Station (CozyCoffeeStation.com).

She’s moving into a dorm, not saying goodbye. And all parents deal with their kids growing up, moving in at college or getting a career.
I know that. I’ve got two older than Ashtyn. But the thought of not having her home every day still — bums me out.
Ashtyn is our youngest. She’s beginning a new adventure as an Apache Belle, at Tyler Junior College, as her dance career continues, in all likelihood toward a goal of one day being a drill team director at a very-blessed high school, or maybe owning her own studio.
Or maybe the ruler of the free world. She’s pretty goal-minded. 
Today was move-in day for the Belles.
Anyone who’s read my “What’s Causing All This?” column for any length of time knows we have three children: Ashtyn, the youngest, born during Kilgore’s state title run in 2004; her first trip out of the house as a human being was the state title game in Waco that year.
Teresa (Tee) is now a teacher in the Houston area, as is her husband, Nate, also a coach. And ol’ Jacob, my middle, is finishing up his college tenure at Alabama.
So if you’re thinking “empty nest” — yeah, it is. And I’ve came to a conclusion.
I’m not ready.

Thinking back at all the good times, all the moments, the KBBA (youth baseball) games, the dance recitals, the halftime shows… all the road trips and the Christmases, the youth camps, and even the “can I sleep in there with y’all”’s.
It’s the birthday parties, the parade performances, the inside-the-park home runs… and it’s the “goodnight, daddy”’s. 
No, those aren’t going away. They’re just not coming from little voices anymore. And I know, you don’t have to tell me — it’s part of life.
We did it, myself and my sister, Jen. You did it — on your own, or maybe with your brother and sister. One day, we’re playing video games, buying action figures or Nerf balls or using mini make-up sets or toy kitchens.
The next? Budgeting for the mortgage and the car payment.
It’s not that fast — but it sure feels it.
Time.
LeBron James is fond of saying, “Father Time is undefeated.” Like him or not, LeBron is onto something there. 
But maybe the next part of life can be special, too. Tee and Nate are making their way through teaching and coaching careers. Jacob, he’s gotten VERY good with video equipment, and will soon graduate college and (hopefully) be very talented using it; and Ashtyn… someone will have a very special drill team director and teacher one day.
I’ve got to conquer the empty nest feeling and be ready for the next chapter, and chapters. It’s not going to happen overnight. I know that. I’ll still make sure I get my “goodnight, Daddy”s.
Nobody beats Father Time. LeBron is right. But maybe fighting him is not the way to go. Maybe we just need to accept change, as we get older.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m the world’s oldest teenager. Acceptance — It’s not gonna be easy. 
But anything worth having never is.