Sunday, November 23, 2008

11/23

It's very quiet around here.

Arielle had five friends come out from Allentown for a visit. It was a bit chaotic having all those extra kids around, but I really loved it. This group has been friends for years, and it was wonderful seeing Arielle reconnect with them all. Next year, they will all be away at college. It will be harder than ever for them all to be together. I'm happy she could have this time with them now.

Aaron gets really stressed out when we have a house full. The noise and the chaos gets to him. But I remember how my parents always let us have kids to the house...and especially out to our cabin. We had such a good time together in a safe and supervised environment. My friends were always welcome however, I just took that for granted at the time. Now I can appreciate how important it is for parents to open their homes to their childrens friends. I feel even more strongly about it now that we've moved and the opportunities for my kids to see old buddies are few and far between. I want them to feel comfortable bringing others here. It's important to building new relationships as well as keeping the old ones solid.

No matter how loud it got around here, all I could think about was how soon Aaron and I would be alone in the house. Next year, both the girls will be off at school and we'll only have Joel here with us. Four years later and he'll be on his way. Four short years. I'm thrown off guard by the thought that the bulk of the child rearing will soon be behind us. I know they say you never stop worrying about your kids...but it won't be long before we have the day to day interaction with them. It happened way to quickly. I don't feel any older than I was when they were babies. How did they get to be 14, 18, and 21 years old?

I've never been one to wish time away. I've never been particularly anxious for the "next phase." I want to do more than stop time, I want to turn it back. I see young moms cooing at little ones in shopping carts or holding a child's hand as they hurry through a parking lot and I miss those times. They were demanding times, but precious none the less.

I enjoy peace and quiet as much as anyone else. But today, it leaves me feeling quite unsettled. All I hear is the ticking of a clock, reminding me that soon this "peace" will be the norm. I'm pretty sure that's not all it's cracked up to be. In fact, I'm sure of it.

8 comments:

Martha said...

I know what you mean Kat. I don't know how these years since I've had children has gone by so quickly! It's one of the very few things that can make my heart hurt and bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it for a moment (like right now)- Im going to be a terrible empty-nester ::sigh::

cw2smom said...

Great entry Kat! I so relate! Despite all the issues I've been dealing with with the teenager and the adult child who lives here, with Ab turning 17 in a couple of weeks, I know that things are going to seriously change soon. I wish for an empty house, yet I don't...if you know what I mean! It's kinda like I will have less to occupy my mind and it will lead to depressive episodes! Scary!

alphawoman said...

My daughter is 28 and I miss her so much being a young child. But...there are those pesky grandchildren! lol!

Cynthia said...

All I hear is the ticking of a clock, reminding me that soon this "peace" will be the norm. I'm pretty sure that's not all it's cracked up to be. In fact, I'm sure of it.


I guarantee it, but I'm working on replacing it with something else. Just don't know what yet.

Anonymous said...

"I see young moms cooing at little ones in shopping carts or holding a child's hand as they hurry through a parking lot and I miss those times." I did too, but let me tell you Kat, we had the grandkids out last night for a shopping excursion and it's even better when it's your grands in the cart or holding your hand! My "Baby" will be 18 next week - and I have to hold back the tears even if I just think about it. :::Wiping eyes dry::: I'm not ready for an empty nest! ~~Kath~~

DB said...

You paint such an appealing picture of having the little ones around. I love kids, and I don't have any at all in my life, not even occasionally. I miss them.

DB - Vagabond Journeys

IndigoSunMoon said...

I love the peace and quiet of just me and Suz, and all our little puppers around me.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! Cooking ahead rocks! I dont have to do anything today either, except eat!
Lovish!
Connie

carmilevy said...

Your words reach into the soul of all parents and speak to them so eloquently about the need to appreciate the here and now.

So nice to cross blog-paths with someone who gets it so fundamentally. Your kids are so lucky to have such philosophically balanced parents.