a strangely unsettling feeling

I was addressing my Christmas mailing tonight, finally getting some sent out.  I know, I know, very late but this will not surprise anyone who has known me for any length of time.  What gsve me a jolt this evening was addressing one envelope to my grandson.  He graduated from high school last June, and as a first fling at independence has moved into an apaftment with two friends.  So far so good as far as I know but I felt a little tug of sadness at the thought that one of my grands has left the nest.  This phenomenon will no doubt repeat itself three times in the next three years as the remaining grands head off to college or whatever.  I know it's inevitable and I really wouldn't want it any other way.  Still, the first is, well, the first.  Good luck little bird.