What I learned

I was born in 56 and I am 56 years old.  An interesting fact that only happens once in a life time.  My daddy died at 52 and my brother died at 57, way too young.  Aging is a very strange thing indeed.

Our children are all grown and gone, with lives of their own. With busy schedules and their own agendas. That is as it should be.

My oldest is a busy wife and mother of a teen and preteen; a business lady, photographer and on more committees than I can count.

My oldest son is a business man with lots of work and over time.  He is a husband and the daddy of our precious little girls. He works at his church and mentors young people.

My baby boy is 29 and manages one Restaurant while opening another one with our  son-in-law and planning a new life with his beautiful fiancee.

My baby girl manages a restaurant, teaches yoga and art; does charity work and is a long distant African mom to several orphans.

I am proud of all of them.

Even if  they all seem to be allergic to talking on the phone.  I call and do not get a call back, but if I text, they text right back.

Mark and I are busy  with our little business and Red Cross and our love of travel.  Life is good.

I love these independent kids, but I do miss being a part of their lives on a daily bases.  I know that they love me, but every once in a while I get this feeling... well,  you know..I am no longer their first love.. I know that  this is how it is suppose to be.. Healthy kids grow up to be healthy adults and leave home.  But, still.. I miss...them and  sometimes wonder....

Then, I remember when Mark and I were a young couple with four kids and a crazy busy schedule and did not see Mark's Mom much.  But, when she needed us, during those last two years, we were there.   I gave Mark back to his Mom for that time period  and she became the priority and I do not regret it for a minute. Family is family, sealed together by marriage,  blood, history and love.

Last week, I had a health scare.  Mark was out of town for his once a year Amigo trip with retired Farm Bureau buddies.

A simple visit to the doctors turned out to be a 32 hour adventure that was not a lot of fun. But, I learned a lot about my self and my kids.

I learned that I needed to know a lot of things that I did not think  that I needed to know about my body and my numbers. And, that I need to take better care of myself.

I learned that my kids will always be there when I need them,.  Two of them were there before I could even get out of Thomasville ER.  The other two called constantly to check up on me.  Every time that I went in for another test, they had a group meeting and would tell me what they were going to do.  They worked together as a team and helped each other.  I  learned that it is going to be great having a nurse in our family as we age to help interpret what the Doctors are saying.  I also learned that they still love their mama and want me to stay around for a while.

In an interesting role reversal:

I am getting calls from my youngest,  telling me that I had better not be overdoing and that she is going to come up with a diet plan for IC, IBS, high blood pressure, high  tri-something  and , kidney problems .  Good luck baby.

My baby boy sat by my hospital bed and told me that he remembered all of the times that I was the one sitting next to his hospital bed.

My eldest son spent the night in that uncomfortable chair/bed and then cooked me a healthy  welcome home supper.

Then, there is the oldest. When did she become  the one who could rally the troops and organize the family and hospital staff.  So capable and in control.

I'm so  glad that Mark is home now. But,  in his absents,  the kids  proved  they can take care of mama.

The next few weeks are going to be interesting as I figure out how to adjust to new  life style changes and change life time habits.  I know that I am blessed to receive a wake up call. Sometimes God has to do things to get my attention because He  knows that I am clueless.  He loves me anyway.

Thanks for the prayers.