Now that our children are out of school and one is living outside of our home, my husband and I are able to slow down and enjoy traveling, cooking, gardening & socializing with our friends. We are liking this new found freedom!
For many years, my team me was spent at various sporting events, school activities & children's birthday parties. Life was fun, but busy. Looking back, I wouldn't change anything because our children flourished and we made many memories. This reminds me of the country song, "Life is a Dance" . One of the lines of this song says "Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow". With small children at home, there were many stresses. Homework, projects, sporting events, school,programs, etc. Now that those things have passed, there are different stresses. Life's pace is slower, so we are able to process these things differently. It's almost like we ran a long race & have finally crossed he finish line. Only to find out, another race has begun, but we can be the tortoise this time, not the hare.
Chapter 1: Life is New
This chapter will highlight life as we became new parents. Boy, did we think we were busy. Babies who didn't always sleep through the night, trying to juggle being a new parent with working and everyday activities that had become more of a struggle.
Chapter 2: No one Ever Told Us!
This chapter will highlight our life as parents of two school aged children. Both are very involved in sports, band, orchestra and they have a healthy social like too. As new parents, we thought the hard part of parenting was when they didn't sleep through the night. No one ever told us that the hard part of parenting was when we were committed to several events each week with two children doing different activities & passing in the night when bedtime finally arrived. Finding time for just the two of us has become very difficult.
Chapter 3: Light at the End of the Tunnel
This chapter will highlight our live as parents with older children. One has joined the Air Force and the other has graduated and is working. My husband and I have more time to ourselves and we have settled into a slower paced life. Strangely, we miss the ball games and event some days, but those are father and fewer between. We've discovered that we can go grab a meal, jut the two of us and enjoy a nice, adult conversation. We can actually have hobbies of our own now...wow!
Chapter 4: Full Circle
This chapter highlights our adult life which now includes caring for our elderly grandparents. Just as we thought things were settling don, our elderly grandmother, 87, is needing more and more assistance. Walking, driving and caring for herself is difficult and sometime dangerous. I have stepped in as a caretaker and life can really be interesting. At this stage in life, she doesn't want to admit weaknesses, but it is unfortunately a reality. Does anyone want to admit that they cannot do things in their own? NO! Going forth with kindness, gentleness and easing into this new reality is the only way to advance. We have finished raising our children (for the most part) and are now helping "raise" grandma.
If I had to give myself a title, it would be "The do-it-all Diva". I am on call for our grandmother for just about everything. I enjoy spending time with her and I know she benefits and enjoys the time we have. I do not it see it as a burden because I know that my modeling this behavior to my children will be a positive thing. I know that young people need to see these things so that they develop the character needed to carry on inter same way. It is challenging and some days it it tiring. However, I know that when I reach this stage in my life, I will want and need help as well. My role is to make her life as easy and comfortable while she is with us. While the days now are tiring and sometimes frustrating, it is worth it. I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve her. Ideally, I'd love to have a more healthy grandmother, but since that isn't the case, we make the best of what we have.
