The Empty Room

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An empty room hides innocently
behind a closed door at the end of the hall.
One, two, three, now four...
They have gone one and all.

We should focus on the pride that 
fills us for what we have done.
Today should be about the laughs,
the smiles, and the years of fun.

Yet, the empty room haunts us 
when we step inside.
We know what is lost, and it's 
not our pride.

They will always be our kids, 
producing memories and joy,
but today feels like an end to 
parenting a girl and three boys.

They've grown, achieved, and 
forged their own paths.
We are left to figure out
life in the aftermath. 

We taught, molded, and advised
through the years.
We did our best, despite mistakes.
It's as difficult as it appears.

Our world has changed forever
it seems.
It's one day at a time until 
we know what life means.

This day ends, the last page of our
life's longest chapter.
We turn the blank page and
await what comes after.

Take care of yourself,

Rod