Holidays and homecomings

Having everyone under one roof for the holidays is a fantastic feeling. It’s been getting harder and harder each year, though. Convincing my oldest, Morganne, to grace us with her college presence is a rare event. Between adulting with jobs, friends and bills, she’s practically got a “Sorry, can’t make it” on speed dial when it comes to visits home from Iowa City.

Now a full-fledged adult, Morganne manages her own life, and her time for us is becoming less and less frequent. When we are graced with Morganne’s presence, I'm like a puppy with a wagging tail, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Although, in the initial returns home, I learned the hard way — a college-aged kid’s visit isn't exactly a Hallmark moment; it’s more of a brief touchdown before they sprint off with friends.

Back in 2020, dropping my first-born off at the University of Iowa during the Covid circus hit me harder than I had anticipated. But, I shouldn’t have been too surprised… considering I was one of those moms who began dreading the day moments after little Morganne came into the world — with her full head of dark hair, chestnut eyes and the puffiest little cheeks you will ever see.

Leaving Morganne at Burge Hall on a late summer day felt like handing over my heart and hoping she wouldn't accidentally misplace it. That’s when it hit me — while I’m not quite an empty-nester, I’m definitely a “sorta” empty nester. It’s a kind of parenthood phase they don’t make guidebooks for.

“The days are long but the years are short” became my mantra during Morganne's high school senior year as she prepped for dorm life — mini fridge, bed set, desk organizers; the whole shebang. And after the official college drop-off the truth smacked me in the face — soon, my son would take off on his adventures, followed by the youngest.

Even now, having all three kids back at the homestead feels like a winning streak. But, like outgrowing shoes, they’re gradually outgrowing my home. It stings a bit, but hey, growing pains, right?

Post-dorm life, Morganne is acing the college game. Heck, she’s acing the adulting game. Like really acing it. Sure, it makes me happy to see her thrive, but also a tad wistful. I’m now in the peculiar territory where my grown-up daughter still needs her mom, but mainly from the safe distance of a phone call or a carefully crafted emoji-laden text.

But this year, hallelujah, Morganne made it home for Christmas! And despite the holiday season doubling as a germ convention — at work and at home — it felt almost perfect. There’s a certain magic in knowing all three of my offspring are safely tucked under one roof, even if the roof is occasionally threatened by sneezes and coughs.

So, I’m holding onto those rare moments when Jim and I are managing a houseful of our people — small and big —  just like we did on Christmas morning. In those instances, the daily grind takes a back seat, and the real, unfiltered moments unfold as the trio rustles up breakfast in the kitchen — a tween, a teen and a twenty-something on a quest for caffeine or maybe just some juice.

I savor these times, knowing they’ll become a little more rare as the calendar pages continue to flip.

Megan Molseed is a feature writer/online specialist at the Storm Lake Times Pilot. She lives in Fonda.