You know no one ever said it would be easy, life I mean or I guess anything else, but it is an amazing thing to think of your youngest child turning 18, and he is today which is something I wasn't so sure I would see, not for lack of trying. I would often peruse the "family" blogs and they are all sweet and endearing, and yes we have all had to find humor and love in the midst of our children with chickenpox, the flu, changing diapers, "walking the floor" etc. etc. I am so past that now, we had our time in that world and I enjoyed it and have great memories but lets get real here - it doesn't last and time marches on. The years after our children are "cute" can be just as endearing, but lord knows there are so many challenges that go with it. God forbid you ever have to deal with the juvenile system, gone are the days when they knew when kids are just being (albeit) stupid kids and it was all part of growing up, they throw the book at them and ask questions much much later. The challenge of parenting in this extreme age of anxiety, and fighting to raise good, decent, tolerant human beings is immense with little or no help from the community (unless you have a "perfect" child, on honor roll and scoring a 36 on the ACT then everyone wants to be there for you). I cringe to think what would have happened to me if I was growing up now!
So now, according to the government, all of mine (5) are officially adults (though I would argue otherwise) and I am entering a chapter that very few "experts" talk about and after swapping stories with others I realize that in the last 20 some odd years my family and` I have had more "interesting" experiences than most (but I would love that not to be true) and we have still managed to laugh a hell of a lot, support one another, cry together and for the most part enjoy each others company.
In addition to this change of status is also the "change" the evil M word, yes menopause which is a real pain in a lot of ways but also wonderfully freeing and transforming at the same time. I'm sad to say that my home is more open and honest about what is going on than the "outside" world, and that is a disgrace. It is a fact of life and should not be difficult or taboo to talk about it, face it menopause is rude and laughter/support is the best medicine ( it can be for life too).
So this is my outlet for all of the frustrations, elation's, concerns, quandary's, musings, and sometimes confusing roads that life as a woman, mother, wife, stylist and pet lover has. I'll try not to bore, bitch (too much), and wallow in any self pity but will continue to find the positive somewhere....
as one of my older boys said a few years ago (in the midst of some other life stuff)
...................when life gives you lemons....make grape juice and keep them guessing on how you did it!!!!!
