The End of Another Era

It's funny how life marks itself out in eras and ever since I had children they have frequently been the determining factors for such. So we have had nappy years, nursery days, primary school periods etc..

My  last day at work before retiring, co-incided with the youngest's final A'level exam following which she officially left school and three months later headed off to university in London.

For the past 4 years, therefore, retirement has been characterised by the youngest's university years as she has of course remained dependent upon us, not just financially but in other ways too.

Now, however, that era too has come to an end marked by a formal UCL graduation ceremony on Monday and our own family celebrations on the London Eye and at pre- and post-ceremony meals. 

The youngest continues to reside in London where she has secured employment and attained her independence, as indeed have Mister E and me. It's a novel feeling: the children have both grown up and are now the workers, whilst we are free to do whatever we want, go where we want with no little people to stop us. It's going to take some getting used to but I have an inkling that we'll manage it and in due course look back on our fit and free, no-ties era with nostalgic memories too.