Hi, I am Anna, and I am an empty nester! I live in Colorado. I have 2 kids Aaron who lives in MO, and Angelena who just turned 21, is now serving a 18 month mission in Wisconsin. I am trying to figure out 'who' I am.

Once you become a 'mom' your entire job is helping them grow, and become independent. Well, that mission is accomplished, they are both gone. Its hard to go from 'mom' mode, to all I have to please is myself mode. Its very strange.

When my first born left, even though I was sad and cried, I still had one at home, and I was getting her raised.  Aaron has been back home a couple of times, but I usually go and visit him yearly.

Angelena just left this past Tuesday on her 'journey'. She converted to the LDS church just a bit over a year ago, and wanted to go on a mission ever since. She had to wait 1 year, and she submitted her paperwork. She got her mission call last December, and it seemed like my life has been on a fast roll foreword ever since.

I was born and raised Catholic, I am Italian what else? LOL But, I am not a 'practicing' one. I didn't raise the kids in any structured religion, my ex and I decided that the kids should 'choose'. Well Angelena did.

The 1st few months, I asked questions, and 'googled' everything I could find to better understand her journey. I met her friends, they are an awesome group of young adults. I learned new lingo, and tried the best I could to encourage.

Just until the 'mission' came up. I was scared. I was worried. I just couldn't understand why anyone would want to leave their job, family and friends for 18 months. We will write letters, email and I will get 2 phone calls: one on Mother's day and one on Christmas. I was SAD.

As the day approched, it was time to find a new place to live. I was in a 2 bedroom apartment that I couldn't afford by myself. Looking for that seemed to be a huge nightmare. I have moved into a 1 bedroom now, she had her farewell talk the next day (March 23) and 18 days later April 8th, I was saying goodbye at the airport.

The months leading up to that, I am really sure that my friends dreaded the phone calls I would make to them. I was either asking my one friend who is an ex Mormon and what is this or that, or my other friends who had to put up with the endless phone calls.

Well, she left, and I didn't crawl into a hole and die. I am sleeping, and going to work. My life isn't going to change much, my daughter's will, she gave up everything to serve the Lord: tv, movies, being with her friends, her cat Bella, and her family.

So now the remainder of the 18 months for me? It is time for my own journey now. I think its time to re invent "me". Since its only been 4 days since she left (3 since entering into the MTC=missionary training center) I don't know what 'me' is yet. The only drama will be my drama! I hope to learn and grow in this time period also.

I want to thank my friends and family for putting up with me! You know I love you and I can never thank you enough for your endless hours of listening to me. You all have earned your wings!

I will keep you updated as this progresses.

Anna