Do Mexican Parents Get Empty Nest Syndrome?

I don't think Mexican parents get 'Empty Nest Syndrome' (ENS), first because not ALL their children ever leave the home at the same time.  Second because by the time the 'baby' is ready to go, the older ones find their way home.  Third, if they ever finally get the house to themselves they are so exhausted they just don't have the energy to feel drepressed (not to mention that the older kids are probably on their way to drop off the grandchildren).

I, on the other hand, experienced my first touch of ENS this Saturday (and she was only gone four hours).  On Saturday I took my niece to go take her assessement/placement exams to begin her freshman year at college this fall.  I dropped her off at 8 am and didn't get to see her until Noon.  When she finally walked out of testing, I saw her amble over towards me and I wanted to hug and kiss her like she had just escaped Fidel's Communist Cuba.  She looked tired and hungry  (What did those monsters do to my baby??!!). 

When she first came to live with me, I had 'buyers remorse'.  I didn't know how to raise a kid and she was always talking and singing and asking questions.  My sactuary of quiet reflexion and solitude were invaded by horrible modern music (She calls my 80's music ' the oldies'....AS IF!). I had to re-learn Algebra and American History in order to help with homework (and I found that I might not be smarter than a 5th grader).  I wanted to give her back to her mother and run away from home so they wouldn't find me again.  She was not my responsibility!

Now, five years later, I don't know how anyone with half a heart would give up such a beautiful girl.  She has made me better as much as I have changed her life.  We both took to our journey kicking and screaming and now that we have found a common ground and an even serenity (Well, an 'even serenity' when she believes my death threats), she is being taken from me by that cruel, CRUEL monster we call a 'Higher Education'.(I hope you know I am totally joking about a 'Higher Education' being a monster.......it's just for dramatic effect people!).

She keeps telling me to go out and date.  To go out and find a nice man who can play basketball.  She thinks it's so easy to just go out and find a nice man who can play basketball......she's so nieve!

The best I can hope for is a good case of 'shopping' or 'sex' addiction to help me through my depression when she goes off to college.  Who knows....maybe I'll get them both and not even remember her name after a couple of weeks........keep your fingers crossed!  (Oh, and when I call you to come and bail me out of jail because I was cuaght in the dressing room of the men's department at Nordstrom.....Please, no questions)