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EARLY THIS MORNING 
I was awakened by the sound of knocking on our house. After looking around and finding nothing, I couldn’t go back to sleep. I’m still not sure what it was. A freak of nature. A bird. A phantom ghost. Who knows. But I got up, made myself a cup of coffee and began to tackle the long, laundry list of items I have to accomplish today..
Today is also my daughter’s virtual high school graduation, followed by her actual graduation that will take place on Wednesday. People keep asking my husband and me how we are feeling about “almost” being empty nesters. I tease and say it’s great, but I’m not so sure I mean it.
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Yesterday, we had both sets of grandparents over for a luncheon to celebrate Ellie’s graduation. It felt like old times. As you all have experienced as well, this is indeed a very strange time to have to navigate the realms of education. With her prom, graduation, senior dance showcase, scheduled trips to New York and Hersheypark with her dance team all cancelled, it’s been a disappointing spring, for sure. Likewise, the realities around teaching and college for the fall semester for my son, daughter, and me are giving us all a bit of anxiety of the unknown.
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I don’t know why I’m sharing all of this on this absolutely stunning Monday morning, but there are several things that have me down: aging, the maturing of our children, the state of our nation, the worry about disease, the chronic, painful condition of my spine, and the general anxieties I feel today have me having to work overtime to stay optimistic.
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I’ll beat these troubling thoughts. It just may take a day or two.
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xx
Working outside on my garden over the last week is therapeutic. Takes your mind off things and nature is healing.***
Stephanie Verni is Professor of Communication at Stevenson University. She is the author of 5 works of fiction and the co-author of one academic textbook on Event Planning. Her character-driven books are set in beautiful Maryland locations and examine the realities of the human heart. Connect with her on Instagram at stephanie.verni or on Twitter at @stephverni. Or, visit her Amazon page at Stephanie Verni, Author.
