WE ARE MARSHALL, a movie, is every empty nesters worst fear. A tragic plane crash killed seventy –five members of their football college team coming back from a game in North Carolina.

I had the privilege of speaking with Sheri Stepp, Marshall University’s Coordinator of Parent Resources. Sheri was touched that Marshall University students got internships and experience as extras on this film. She stated the community was a little skeptical about the film being made in their town. As it turned out, the crew and cast were gracious and sensitive to the tragic loss her community lived.

Marshall University’s football team was not only a sport for college kids to cheer and excel, but a way of life for the community of Huntington, West Virginia.

The dream of your child playing a sport they love, getting into their top choice college, and having a future wide open, ends in an instant with a phone call or live breaking news report. Your precious one is gone. You didn’t get to say good bye.

How do you and how does a community go on when tragedy permeates the halls? I haven’t seen the film, which is being given a private premiere screening in Huntington, West Virginia today and then one in Hollywood, but I will be sitting in the audience with Kleenex to honor the team and town when it opens to the public.

I am anticipating that hope and courage when dreams die, will be palpitating in this film. How do you and how does a community go on? What heroes rise up to hold our hands when our heads are down?

What inspires you and what heroes have you known?

May the pain and loss these parents, friends, and community lived, be honored in this creative endeavor of film making.

Posted by Natalie Caine at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What do empty nesters like to do when the kids come home?

Take a family vacation
Eat meals together
Go to the movies
Do things outdoors
Have friends and family over
Shop
Take day road trips
Watch family videos
Other

Do you open a present Christmas Eve and eat a special meal? Do you open all presents first thing in the morning? What about seeing a movie Christmas day? Do you call friends and family to say, “Happy Holidays?” Do have a different holiday celebration, like Hanukah, and light the menorah with a little gift each night?

We are on the count down and I just thought it would be fun to share some of our traditions here.

Posted by Natalie Caine at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What do you love about parenting and what do you wish for when you anticipate time together with your kids?

1. You did the best parenting you knew how to do at that time.

2. You raised your bar to learn how to be separate from your children and bonded.

3. You are looking forward to sharing stories, laughs, hugs, and peace at home.

4. You are shopping, cleaning, cooking, decorating, and organizing your favorite holiday music to share.

5, YOU ARE REMINDING YOURSELF TO LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS so you don’t get deeply wounded that your holidays aren’t full of HO HO HO

Posted by Natalie Caine at 07:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

“I am intending on having a happy holiday. I am a loyal friend.”
That is what a woman said when she called me for a consultation.

I think we forget to ask questions and to listen, really listen.

I have had men and woman share with me that when I ask the questions, their shoulders go down and they think and feel things they forgot to notice.

I too like when people ask me questions. I feel cared for and given a chance to pause and check into what they are asking.

The holidays are a wonderful time and stressful, but I want to remember to pause, look at someone and simply ask, “How are you doing these days?”

Natalie

Posted by Natalie Caine at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)