So here's the deal...the youngest child graduates. What does that mean exactly? More money for Ron and I to spend on each other? No more violin, piano, oboe, trumpet, or trombone lessons? Smaller food budget? No more t-ball, little league football, soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, softball, baseball games or camps for every sport? No more band, choir or orchestra concerts or camps?
No more Junior Miss Programs, fundraisers every weekend, senior parties, field days, lock-ins, PTO Boards, report cards, read-a-thons, or school dances? No more first dates, back to school nights, drivers license tests, parent-teacher conferences, team dinners or chaperoning? No more yearbooks, senior pictures, tardies, school lunches, walking around the corner in sub-zero weather?
No more after midnight talks, sharing tears over boys...or girls..., throwing cookies on to the bar, toilet papering, clever ways to ask and answer to dances, spirit days, day-dates, curfews?
Where have all those wonderful years gone? The memories come back so quickly! Did I enjoy my children enough? Did I listen to them enough? Did I lecture too much? What memories will they have of me as they grew up? Are they prepared to meet their future? Did they get enough hugs from mom and dad? Will they still need me?
Ron and I find ourselves in a new place in our lives...together again...without many interruptions. "Jill, we are going to have to find things that we both enjoy doing together again." It really is an interesting feeling after consuming myself with my children for 26 years and then accepting they really are gone! I guess it's good they don't need me...maybe I taught them something! Now all the games I will watch will be the next generation! I can't wait to attend my first piano recital as Grandma Jill! I hope my tandem bike is still around when the grandkids can reach the pedals!
But most of all I can't wait until the T.I.M.E. when we have our Annual Ron Anderson Family Reunion. See you in a couple of months kids!
