I expected there would be another column on weddings because we had just enough letters for one more week of them, but my editor suggested we move on — so on we're moving! I extend apologies to those of you whose letters didn't appear.

Time indeed marches on, as is evidenced by our new subject. Last week we talked about getting married, and this week we're jumping to the other end of the spectrum as we start thinking about empty nesters. I have a letter from a reader who has a quandary. I'll let her state the problem in her own words:

If you ever run out of topics, I think it would be interesting to discuss coping with "empty nest" issues.  My oldest just turned 35, and my youngest will be 13.  I've been raising children since I was one!  

I always thought an empty nest would be welcome, but my sister says it's like pushing the handcart with all your strength for decades across the bumpy plains and suddenly the handcart just goes and you are flat on your face — feeling useless.  Is that how it feels?  

All the years there were things I could not do because I was busy with children. But when my daughter is with her dad for a month in the summer, I don't do those things: I just go through the motions of life with a heavy heart.  Is that what it will be like when she goes off to college?   I know activity in the Church will continue to help, but what if the ward leaders think I am too old to serve?  I see lots of women my age without callings. Oops, I'm scaring myself!  I better get to work!

Curious Leah

Okay, people, here's another question I can't help with. I never had baby birds to kick out of the nest, so I don't know how it feels to be bereft of them.

If you have experience in this area and are willing to give advice to Curious Leah, send your email to meridianmagazine@aol.com. Put something in your subject line to let me know your letter isn't spam. We'll publish the first responses two weeks from today, when I'm back from vacation.

And when you write, be sure to include your full name, city and state or country. (If you'd rather be semi-anonymous, sign your name as “A Reader from Michigan ,” or “Sandy from Timbuktu .” The important thing is that we hear from you.)

Until next time — Kathy

“When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they're not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They're upset because they've gone from supervisor of a child's life to a spectator. It's like being the vice president of the United States .”

Erma Bombeck