Moving On
Posted on Aug 27, 2025 by Shari Van Baale
It’s a little quieter in our house these days. Even though I hardly saw my daughter — between school, work, dance, church leadership, youth group, and school clubs — her absence is still felt after bringing her to college last week. I really didn’t see her much the last few years, but I feel her absence every day now.
I no longer need her work schedule each week to know when she is going to be home for dinner. I don’t need to plan something she likes on the nights she is home for meals. The “nail salon” is gone from my dining room table. Life is easier in those aspects. But life is a lot more quiet and uneventful.
I had a little preview on what to expect as a parent before we left, as I saw lots of social media posts from friends whose kids started the week before. Some just had a picture or two while others had a whole slideshow. Some were incredibly sad and really hurting while others were adjusting rather well to their new life at home without their college kid.
We are still adjusting, having just returned from Colorado without her. It will take some time before the “new normal” feels like the everyday normal.
Shari Van Baale
Salem Communications Coordinator