I woke up this morning in San Antonio, Texas. My legs still tired from all the walking in a surprise trip to Sea World. Although the entire park is not completely open and operating, I had a fabulous time. I was even brave enough to get on two water rides, one that dropped me straight down into a pool of ice cold water …..I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared or screamed so loud in my entire life….it was so much fun.
As we walked through the park we noticed a duck. The duck was flapping it’s wings and making a loud screeching sound, it was standing on a ledge above the pond where all the other birds, including two beautiful flamingos, were. As people walked by, I noticed that the duck got louder with the screeching when anyone got to a certain spot on the sidewalk. As I got closer to the spot, I saw two extremely small, baby ducks, (ducklings), were playfully, waddling and pecking below. The larger duck, was a parent. She was making the loud noise and flapping her wings at people as they got too close, as a way to protect her babies.
In the pond, there were some medium sized ducks among other species of fowl, and as I watched, for over ten minutes, the parent duck would often glance back at the other ducks in the pond, but her main focus was on the two small, younger ducks on the ground.
As a parent of a recent high school graduate, I could relate to the parent duck. She protected and made a fuss over her babies, as they adventured out among the people. When my sons were younger, I was just like that duck, making noise and flapping, doing all I could to protect them. Keeping a close watch on the things and people around them as there learned to navigate the world.
As I said earlier, there were also a few medium sized ducks in the pond behind the large duck. They were swimming among the other ducks and birds, dipping their heads underwater, even paddling up to take food from people’s hands. The parent duck glanced back often to check on them, but she allowed them to roam, and explore. My sons are older now, and like the medium sized ducks, I am allowing them to roam, to live and make lives for themselves; but I’m still here, glancing at, loving and caring for them as they do.
I’ve decided that my new role, as an empty nester, is to roam a little more. To learn a little more about myself, who I am and what makes me happy. And as I glace back, and learn to be a parent of adults, I will move forward and learn to be me.
Side note–As we were leaving the park we passed the pond, the ducklings were returned to the pond, swimming closely to their parent, and I’m sure for the parent duck, all was right with the world.
Are you an empty nester? Are you starting a new role in your life?
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…… until next time #bossLady out💜
#bossLadyBlooms 
I’m not an empty nester as I have no children however congrats on this next chapter in your life and time for re-self discovery. Enjoy this time! You are brave to go on the slide…I have a fear of heights! Love the pics and the ducks are adorable.
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I’m not an empty nester as I have no children however congrats on this next chapter in your life and time for re-self discovery. Enjoy this time! You are brave to go on the slide…I have a fear of heights! Love the pics and the ducks are adorable.
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Thank you💜
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I completely relate that when we are parents we are so easily able to understand other parents even if they are animals or birds.. so beautifully expressed.
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Love this sweet post! Relate to you as I also have a recent graduate who is my older one. Also used to take multiple trips to Sea World when kids were younger. Not an empty nester yet but here’s wishing you love and adventure!
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Thank you so much.
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This is very beautiful. I am also a parent of an adult and I’m still having a hard time letting him go and do stuff on his own as an adult.
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Seems like a fun trip! I hope I can visit it too. Maybe after the pandemic?
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I miss traveling so much! I just really hope I can travel again soon! I hope this pandemic really ends soon!
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You seem to have a lovely time there. How nice! thank you for sharing this park adventure.
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Lovely post and you have captured some beautiful pics! Not an empty nester but my older one is freshman in college, so it is a new phase
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I know it is sad but now you get to explore more and go on these fantastic adventures. A new page and should be very interesting.
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I’m currently not a empty nester yet. sometime it is hard to see them fly the nest, but I know from expreience they still come home to visit, so great to explore all the new oppertunities that is set forth upon us. create new memories along with all the interested that you are going to have.
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Love this post, it’s a great read!
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Beautiful post. Sometimes it’s hard to see them leaving the nest, but I know for sure that they will come back from the place that they came from. On your part, enjoy all the opportunities while waiting for them to come home.
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Beautiful post. Sometimes it’s hard to see them leaving the nest, but I know for sure that they will come back from the place that they came from. On your part, enjoy all the opportunities while waiting for them to come home.
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Thank you for such a sweet comment.
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Wow! That looks like a realy amazing and an awesome trip! This is such a really beautiful post!
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Love this and soon I will be an empty nester. Love all of the pictures and it will be nice when that time comes.. in its own way although I truly wish I had had more kids as I love being a mom 🙂
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I love that you’re spending your time as an empty nester roaming more!
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wonderful spot! I call them ‘happy feet’ myself, looks great to slow down during the travels (I love cycling tourism and it’s never easy for me to be all ready and shaped up for weeks in a row every day). The birds are SO pretty and inspiring
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My mom still feels like an empty nester, even if I moved away from the house 10 years ago. It gets harder with COVID as the freedom to travel ack home is limited.
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Sea world looks amazing! I am a huge fan of similar attractions and it never fails to recharge me. It’s surprising how much sudden decisions can make your days brighter by the way. And tired legs are the small price to pay.
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Love your realization! “To learn a little more about myself” we all have that moment in our life.
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Awww.. I can totally relate! My kids are so clingy now, I can’t imagine when they grow bigger. I guess every parent will never be ready for that.
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I am a parent myself. It is but natural to protect them, ensuring they are safe and home after a long day.
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I’ve NEVER been to sea world but I want to go!
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