MOVING ON
Urban Nesters Head Downtown
Let’s see. I could move south, to warmer climes, golf, and tennis. That’s what Gail and Alan did after they became empty nesters. Or, I could go north—mountain hiking, skiing, lots of wildlife and fresh air. That would be nice. Or, actually, I could stay right here in the ‘burbs. I’m certainly comfortable here, have my friends, my shops. Not too far from the city. The city . . . maybe I could go there. . . .

“RIGHT-SIZING” FOR EMPTY NESTERS
It’s an Art
As an art major in college, at one point I thought seriously about studying interior design. The idea of designing living space appealed to me. I always felt that one’s happiness depends to a large extent upon one’s environment. Well, one thing led to another, and I found myself graduating from college with a degree in English and a minor in art. I’ll never regret taking those art courses, though—a good design sense, whether with color or lighting or space, affects in a positive way how well I am able to control my physical and therefore emotional environment. We all strive to be creative, to personalize our space. Sometimes, though, if we lack knowledge on how to design beautiful and efficient space, we need help—especially at difficult junctures in our lives, such as when we’re trading an empty nest for a new living arrangement.

AN EMPTY-NESTING CHALLENGE
Helping an Impaired Child Achieve Independence
When a speeding car struck eight-year-old Catherine as she chased a ball into the street in suburban Philadelphia, a children’s innocent game of “kick-the-can” turned into something terrible. The head injuries she sustained during the accident were so severe that, for several weeks, young Catherine’s life hung in the balance. Her family focused only on the dire situation at hand: Her mother* stayed by her side night and day. Dad and older sister and brother made do at without them, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia became the family’s second home.

REAL PEOPLE EMPTY NESTING
An Interview with Chris M. Slawecki
Chris Slawecki—copywriter, jazz reviewer, sports enthusiast, lover of golden retrievers, husband, and father—is now also an empty nester. One thing’s for certain, though, with Chris’s eclectic mix of interests: Writing has been his lifelong passion, and unlike many writers who are just as dedicated, he’s made it work both as a career and as a hobby. And, in that achievement, you can rest assured that Chris’s accommodating personality played no small role. Recently, Chris was kind enough to share his story with Empty Nest. It proved to be, in the words of songwriter Carole King, “a tapestry of rich and royal hue.”

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