The last of the visiting children and grandchildren went home today. This was such a rare, unexpected treat, having them all in town at one time. Now I’ve begun rolling up the extra quilts and packing away the cots. I’ve sorted the various items left behind and started cleaning the floors littered by twenty-five sets of footprints. I’m tempted not to clean the spot where they ran in and out the back door all day on Saturday. The mud is a nice reminder of the action.
But, the sound of their voices and the feel of their hugs will linger beyond the mess in the house, of course. So, I shall mop the floor. And I’ll enjoy the sound of silence tonight when I get home from work. I’ll love my uncluttered counters and my treadmill back in the spare room. I’ll revel in a long sleep with no worries about little ones who might need me in the night. And I’ll wake up excited to get their emails and hear about the wonders of their lives in distant cities and far-flung states.
More than anything else, though, I will settle into my chair tonight with a happy sigh and reach out to hold the hand of their grandfather. We’ll smile and say how good it was to see everyone. We’ll remind one another of the cute things the little ones said and of how amazing the pre-teens are. We will say how proud we are of each one of them, unashamed to admit to one another that we think we’ve grown the greatest crop in the world.
And then we will admit how happy we are to be back in our favorite place again. Just the two of us. Together, forever. And liking our life together so much that it is almost easy to let the children go.
Almost.
Oh, this is such a nice perspective to hear! Maybe it’s just my parents, or just that I’m their expecting daughter who insists on living in California, but I only ever hear the parts about how much they miss me, how it kills them that a grandson will be so far away, how sad they are.
I do like to picture them home alone, snug in their chairs, happy as two clams. I’m sure they are. They just don’t tell me about that side of their lives.
Did I hear SON in that sentence? Boys are so fun!
I think we sometimes emphasize the missing part with one another because we think that expresses our love. We don’t want you kids to think we couldn’t wait for you to get out of the nest so we could rock on!
I’m always so glad you write about things like this, Kathy. Because I wonder for myself sometimes.
Oh, thank you, Eleanor. That helps me so much!
I can relate to this. It is a joy to have the family together, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying that quiet time together after they leave.
I actually thought of you when I was writing this, Judy. I know you and Blaine have struck this balance well.
I bet it would be harder to see us go if you had a mansion and a maid.
And there’s still a part of me that worries I won’t inherit this grace. It’s the fully alone time I wonder about most. It’s such a thrill to have minutes alone now, but I’m always haunted by the thought that someday I might have tons of alone time and not want it anymore. It seems we never do have the thing when we want to have it. Especially money and time.
Your might be right about the mansion and the maid. But I don’t think you have to worry about having too much alone time. Your life is too full of people for that to happen.
All so poignantly true and beautifully expressed, Kathy. I always enjoy your perspective and love it when I think “Exactly! I wish I had said that!” Serenity- you already have that grace within- you can’t help but inherit it along with the other delightful genes! It grows as you live the stages of life. As far as having the thing when you want it- it helps me to know that Paul learned to be content- it means I can, too- with God’s help. He is so gracious. Love you Ladies ❤
Right back atcha, Chelsea. Thanks for your kind words.