A week long tribute to amazing Moms!
She calls you to lament. Kyra Sedgwick has empty nest syndrome.
Her oldest son Travis with Kevin Bacon is still away at college and there are days when it hits her hard.
"It's so tough when the kids leave, but its also part of life," says the star of the hit series "The Closer."
Knowing that sounds like the Hallmark version of this major life event, the always down to earth Sedgwick laughs.
"OK, it just feels so weird to have these kids and all of a sudden they leave! You've done everything for them from the moment they wake up in the morning until they go to sleep at night and then goodbye!"
"It feels so unfair, but it's part of life," she amends. "But I guess that's why you're a parent. It's about making your children independent."
BTW, did she cry?
"Yeah!" Sedgwick says. "I remember setting my son up in his dorm room and then saying goodbye. All I wanted to do is break down into hysterical tears. But I couldn't because I had the Emmys the next day!"
"I couldn't be puffy!" she cries. "I had to quell it because ego set in!"
BEAUTY BASICS
Ah, the life of a Hollywood empty nester.
At age 46, Sedgwick has never looked better. She cautions, "I don't wake up in the morning looking this way. I mean, I do the groundwork. I workout a lot and drink tons of water. I know people say water, water, water, but it's true. Hydration is key."
But there are also psychological ways Sedgwick stays gor-geo-us.
"I try to stay happy and I'm not kidding here. I choose to find the happiness every single day. Stress is what ages your face and wrecks your health," she says.
"Just breathing is something we don't do enough," she says. "When you're in a situation that's stressful just take several deep breaths. It really does help."
THE REST OF HER REGIME
Sedgwick says that she does practice TLC when it comes to her face.
"I'm a big believer in regular facials," she says. "I don't smoke or drink. Those are the key basics of great skin care."
"I also stay out of the sun," she says. "All those girls who love the sun are doomed when it comes to their skin as they get older. All those brown blotches!"
A FEW UN-DIET SECRETS
Sedgwick has a bod of steel, but admits to an occasional cheat.
"I'm a total sucker for the sweets. I'm totally addicted," she says. "I went to a doctor once because my tongue was bothering me. He asked, 'Do you eat a lot of sweet? Just stop.' I said, 'Forget it.'
"When people tell me they don't eat sugar, I say, 'Wow, you must be really sad,'" she says, laughing.
To combat the sweets, she takes a spinning class and practices yoga.
"I do that super slow workout, which is high intensity and quick with higher weights and a trainer," she says. "It's a fantastic way to train if you have limited time. Your heart rate goes screaming up."
BRINGING HOME THE BACON
Sedgwick has been married for over 20 years to actor Kevin Bacon. Is this even legal in Hollywood to have such a long union?
She laughs, "I know you're going to ask the secret of being married 20 years," he says. "The truth is there is no secret except it's about love and communication.
"I also just got lucky," she says of their union, which also includes son Travis and daughter Sosie. "He's an amazing man. He's a man who is not afraid of a strong woman. Otherwise, he wouldn't have married me."
"The way we've been able to grow together over the years is amazing, too," she says. "I was 23 when we got married, so it's been a lot of love and a lot of growing."
Maybe that's the secret.
"I think it's about allowing each other to grow together. It's a tough idea, but you allow each other the growth, but stay very close at the same time."
As for balancing a new season of "The Closer" with her marriage and motherhood, Sedgwick says, "It's a one day at a time thing. If I have to look at the mountain, I get overwhelmed.
"The bottom line is I don't do everything perfectly and that's fine. All of us struggle," she says.
She points down the hallway.
"Oh my God, there is always laundry to do," she says. "My suitcase is unpacked from the last trip. Kevin will say, 'Isn't it time to unpack your bag, honey?'"
Yes, she lets certain things slide even if it drives her hubby crazy.
"I leave all the drawers and closets open, which I'm sure is annoying. I can take forever choosing an outfit," she says. "As for Kevin, I just wish he did something bad, but he doesn't!"
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