Balancing things out

People always ask me how I feel about Delicate Flower being away at college now, leaving me with just boys.

My husband, my son, one dog and one cat.

All boys.

Contrary to what they assume, I don't have problems with inconsiderate things like leaving the toilet seat up. My boys are too sophisticated for that. (Although I'm sure the cat would appreciate the drinking fountain opportunities.)

My biggest issue is the loss of balance.

When Delicate Flower is home, (as she is this weekend,) I revel in the estrogen injection.

Before she went away I never realized how differently girls and boys experience life. She comes home and we talk and talk and talk. And not necesarily about crucial things --often it's just meaningless details. Don't get me wrong, my boys are VERY verbal. No grunting Neanderthals here. They express themselves well and often. But it's not the same kind of talking you get with a girl. And I don't really mourn it until she comes home and then I realize how much I've been missing.

And of course I miss the way she sees things that no one else here sees.

Last night, before she went to bed she said casually said over her shoulder, "Oh Mom, I did the couch for you."

When I got up this morning I saw pillows straightened, throw blankets neatly folded on the back of the couch, colors of the fabrics casually sprinkled around the way she knows they look best.

I'm just going to pour myself a second cup of tea, and sit back and enjoy the balance.