We've had the odd thunderstorm almost daily, and as welcome as they are, there's something about a true rainy day spent at home that restores my soul.
Of course, the image in my head of a rainy day spent snuggled in a blanket with a book versus the reality of our day leaves something to be desired. Jesse will still want to go run this morning. The high school cross country team that he runs with will meet to run this morning at 8:00, rain or no rain. Lightning would stop them, maybe hail, but not rain. Note to self: Stock the car with towels.
Guitar and bass lessons with Brent in Ashland this afternoon won't be rained out. After guitar, both boys want to go to Carytown, Jesse to Guitar Works to look at classical guitars, and Owen to One Eyed Jacques, the gaming store.
So, the reality looks like a day spent with my sons. They are 16 and 17, and these days of them needing me to drive them to places they want and need to go are coming to an end. I love driving with the two of them laughing and talking and listening to LOUD music in the car.
There will be lots of rainy days to relax and read or nap or enjoy a cup of coffee after I'm no longer needed as a driver. I'm going to appreciate today with my boys and enjoy their humor and fun and energy. A good way to spend a rainy day.
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6 comments:
I love this, Laura. What a fine perspective on your day. Enjoy your boys!
Um, yeah. I'm suddenly facing a lot of those quieter rainy days myself. Glad you know to enjoy your driving-in-the-rain days while they last. I thought I did, but now I wonder about missed opportunities. I suppose the wondering is a natural, unavoidable part of this transition -- how could one ever be sure one had made the most of every opportunity? -- but here it is just the same, needing to be experienced *now* instead of in two or three or five years when I might have expected it. I wonder...
But you will have this blog post to remind you that you tried!
Crikey, I had kind of forgotten they were 16 and 17. I mean I knew, but I chose to forget I think and fix them a bit younger in my mind. Am so so impressed with Jesse's dedication to the running - wish I could be half as self-motivated.
How old is Hector?
I thought that same thought today when I was trying to do something I wanted to do and Joe came and grabbed me and asked me to come and look at the bed he had planted out in the garden. I didn't really want to go and look cos I knew it would just be a patch of soil but he was so proud and wanted to show me that I went happily cos I know one day he won't be wanting to show me stuff anymore :o(
So, we parked in front of For The Love of Chocolate, and Jesse and Owen went off to Plan 9 Records and One Eyed Jacques Gaming. I told them to call me when they were ready to meet back at the car and went into the amazing chocolate shop. I had to step past a little boy waiting for his mother and brother, on their way down the sidewalk. He called to his mom -- he was so excited! The two brothers, about 6 and 7, talked the whole time they were in the store. Their mom was sweet and patient and took the time to look at all of their discoveries and help them figure out how much they could afford with the money each had brought. She didn't rush them to choose or give them rules about what they were allowed to buy. One of them kept exclaiming, "I'm in heaven!"
Oh, it was like a gift, watching them, sharing their excitement. So sweet. Then, my two sons came in and Owen chose some candy, but Jesse disdains too much candy while he is training for this marathon. He has a dark chocolate bar in the kitchen drawer that will last him the week. I texted Meredith at work to ask if she wanted anything, and she chose those fruit slice jells.
It was a very satisfying trip -- and all I got for myself were choc chips to make cookies later tonight. My heart is full, anyway! :D
Ronnie, with Meredith married (!) and Jesse about to turn 18, I keep thinking, "But!! I'm not finished!" It's like -- well, like I still have so much to learn, to discover, to work through. Can we go back and do it again, because THIS time, I will learn so much more from them, be so much more patient, kind, fun, present. Yes, present. So, hopefully, I'll be conscious of being present in this stage of our lives, which snuck up on me!
Chloe and MJ sound like amazing individuals. How exciting to watch their lives unfold in unexpected ways. (I still find myself surprised that I am not the one doing the unfolding of my kids' lives. Letting go of that control has been a long, slow lesson for me.)
Hey, RB -- I thought of you a bit earlier. Hector was dogging my footsteps as I prepared dinner, and I impatiently told him to go sit with his brothers! He turned and lumbered off to Jesse and Owen, watching TV across the room, and lay down with a big sigh. Hee!
Hector is, let's see -- almost 6? His birthday is September 12th. He's coming with us to the beach for two weeks in October. We are calling it "Hector's Vacation".
Your Joe is so dear. Don't you just want to hug the whole crew of your boys sometimes? :)
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