I wake up to a quiet, sleepy house. There’s a stillness in the already sweltering midsummer’s South African morning. While using the bathroom and preparing my coffee, I mull over the chores for the day. Working from home is amazing, but it can put you in a physical rut…no need to do your hair, put on any make-up or wear anything other than comfortable clothes and slippers. There’s no crazy hustle and bustle or deadline to leave home and deal with rush-hour traffic. So I have the gift of dawdling and having sufficient alone-time. For as long as I can remember, I had some little one that I had to take care of. It was initially my siblings, the neighbors’ children and thereafter, my own little ones. My eldest son, Keanan, now 25 years old and soon to be married was a clingy child. He mimicked pretty much everything I did and followed me around to the extent that I affectionately referred to him as ‘my little shadow’. Aaron, now twelve years old, was born Mr Independent. He is a mini-man in his own right, having a certain way of doing things and can be extremely headstrong when challenged. I can’t really say that he’s taken after his late dad…he had the patience of a saint. Aaron is quite content to sit in his room or play outdoors on his own. He needs minimal supervision and he’s most content being left alone with our dogs. Three weeks ago, Brennan, my live-wire, vibrant, super-cheerful and energetic 18-year old, left home to study at a campus about two hours away from home. Let’s just say that when Brennan is around, there is no silence. From his laughter, to the genre of music that he listens to (never at a moderate volume), there seems to be a constant sound of some sort at all times. Often labeled as Sonny Junior, he has several of my father’s character traits; laughter and cajoling dominate the atmosphere wherever Brennan is. Empty nest syndrome…a very apt name, seeing that I have always considered myself as a mother hen who is most content when I have all my chicks gathered under my wings. Ruven, Jared, Joy, Tatum, Charlize, Donivan, Leon, Keanan, One’, Kamleshan, Kayleen, Cameron, Brennan, Aaron….to name a few of my favorite chicks that I had the pleasure of playing Mother Hen to at some phase of my life. These chickies have kept me strong, motivated, grounded, focused, and determined to be my best, to do my best and trust God Almighty, regardless of circumstances. Most of these chicks have left the coop. They have found their own places to roost and some of them have their own broods of little chicks. I may miss them, and long for the days of having them under my wings, but I am immensely proud of them and salute them in finding their own journey and path in this adventure called life. I am their biggest and loudest cheerleader and their number one fan. So yes, I can be lonely, yes, the house is tidy, yes, I have many hours in the week to myself, yes my chocolates and nibbles don’t disappear (with the phrase “I don’t know” being the response when asked about it)…. but a huge YES to independent, self-sufficient, mature, young men and ladies who have a niche of their own to carve out in this world. I love you, treasure you, admire you and salute you! May all of us older Mother Hens, sit back, sip our mugs of coffee, watch our favorite program or read our favorite book, nibble on our cookies and savor the silence! Be proud of the chicks that have left the coop for their destinies are awesome and there’s a world that theses chicks need to explore. I salute you, Mother Hens, on a job well done! Your labor of love has not gone unnoticed. Love always, Niri