The morning started off early, the 6 am alarm and getting kids a healthy breakfast and off to school. Of course there were cards and gifts and hugs. L hiding a secret project up in his room for later on after school. So sweet. A run with a best friend, spending the day at home, quiet, making myself a salad for lunch. Dishes and Laundry. Calls and texts and facebook. Tonight, a dinner at a favorite pizza place, with my brother and kids. Relaxing on the couch with a favorite TV show to wrap up the day after the kids are tucked in. Yes, Just a perfect reflection of what my life is right now.
"These are the in-between years, the thick, hot heart of life's grand pageant, busy and rich and exhausting, overflowing with demands, responsibilities and love."
Never in my life again will I be so loved and so needed.
- Forty is being glad that my kids still want to be tucked in at night and want to spend time with me
- Forty is helping with homework, doing laundry and dishes, spending lots of time in the car. teaching the hard lessons
- Forty is coveting the little time I have (and my friends have) to spend with my friends, cherishing those that have been with me all the way.
- Forty is helping friends and family through divorce, illness, deployments, surgeries and the other instead of trying on wedding dresses and comparing diaper brands.
- Forty is recognizing that more years lie behind us as a family all living together than lie ahead, and existing every day in the shadow of the goodbyes and departures that loom. Forty is thinking parenting just keeps getting better, but also knowing that one day -- sooner than I would like -- this season will come to an abrupt end. That my oldest is closer to being a freshman at college that I am.
- Forty is stress and hard work, realizing that this life that we have right now is finite.
- Forty is feeling grateful that I can still exercise and enjoy time with my family and friends
- Forty is feeling grateful for the color of the fall leaves and beautiful sky
- Forty is feeling grateful for a cup of tea, and a walk with a friend.
- Forty is forgetting what you did just a second ago, but remembering what you had for breakfast on your 6th birthday.
- Forty is knowing all the words to the old songs, and liking the new ones just the same
- Forty is loving what our kids are into and doing it ourselves.
- Forty is being fine with realizing I missed the boat on some things.
- Forty is recognizing other people's imperfections and my own imperfections and letting go and loving them and myself anyway.
- Forty is being friends with our kids friends' parents
- Forty is when the soccer game sideline is the most social scene I will see all week
- Forty is finally donating the bin of clothes that will never fit or look good again.
- Forty is realizing that a special dinner out with my people followed by a quiet night at home instead of a blow out party and trip was everything I ever wanted.
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