Past and present merge on the shores of the next generation.
I felt the voyeur watching all the action from the periphery of my daughter Jennifer's hectic life as a mother and housewife. It's not a job for the faint of heart.
I saw my life thirty-five years ago replaying in Technicolor rather than sepia tones, the usual silent movie now running with sound at a fevered pitch. Little ones know no other volume. When you live life in the moment with all of your senses on high alert you respond in kind.
It's high alert for little Gracie at the Water Park in New Buffalo, Michigan.
The grandkids were delightfully responsive.
Grant is a pistol, with or without the water gun.
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Grace has been a swinging chick since birthday #1.
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At four and two, they’re still very much in touch with their feelings; and mommy.
The sun always rises and sets in Mommy. It set for Grace halfway through the meal.
It’s a twenty-four-seven, exhausting, fulfilling, life-altering and life-long job being a mother. It's a job that necessitates a second pair of hands; daddy is always the best option.
Thomas' hands wrap easily around his little girl. She's getting that finger ready.
From my lofty perch one step removed from all the enormous caring and coping the job demands, it's been truly grand to parent again without the pressures of the daily grind.
I'm learning all about the dynamics of building castles with Grant.
It was grand, too, to view life through the eyes of a child again;
When I told Grant and 'Pa to go fly a kite, they did.
the fun and memories minus all the work added so much sparkle to our week at the beach.
Wow! For a moment as the sun worked its magic, my first-born was walking the beach again.
That young wife and mother still greets each day, even as a woman advancing in years looks back at me every morning while I brush my teeth. Ah well; at least I still have my teeth (granted, one tooth is still not a happy camper).
It’s been tough reconciling what’s on the outside with what’s on the inside, but not near as tough as it was raising a family. I don’t want to go back; the world has changed too much; so have I. I lack the stamina and blind faith the job demands, particularly to see me through adolescents again.
No, I’m quite content to watch my daughter from my lofty perch, lending a helping hand when I can, enjoying the bond my daughter and I share as two mothers blessed with giving and nurturing life; after all, generation after generation, that’s what mothers do.
It’s been tough reconciling what’s on the outside with what’s on the inside, but not near as tough as it was raising a family. I don’t want to go back; the world has changed too much; so have I. I lack the stamina and blind faith the job demands, particularly to see me through adolescents again.
No, I’m quite content to watch my daughter from my lofty perch, lending a helping hand when I can, enjoying the bond my daughter and I share as two mothers blessed with giving and nurturing life; after all, generation after generation, that’s what mothers do.
My little girl has grown into a beautiful woman and mother. What a blessing.
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