It as been quite a change. “Peace and Quiet” has taken on a whole new meaning in our lives. Training little ones to use their “inside voice” is a new wrinkle, along with “Time Outs.” I don’t recall what all we did when our children were little to achieve a modicum of order in the house other than spanking or the threat of it. Actually, the major threat was a wide belt that I would simply crack for effect. I still have that belt hanging in our closet. When we’re gone, it’ll be an item for the heirs to squabble over. I don’t know what the little rubber tips on the end of the doorstops are called, other than “rubber tips”; but they were the first things to go. They are choking hazards in the hands of a two-year old and they were his first targets in the house. We thought that we had child proofed, but we obviously missed a few things. Getting the plastic door knob protectors was an early modification. They are a deterrent, but can also become a problem even for adult motor skills.We had another pipe spring a leak in the same area as the previous one. We’re getting to be old hands at this now and the neighbors are getting used to the plumber’s truck parked in front of the house. Fortunately, we caught this one before much damage was done. The idea has occurred to us that we may want to stop repairing these leaks and just turn the place into a water theme park for the kids. Could get them away from the TV for awhile.
Rearranging the Home Front
In just a few years we went from preparing our house to be sold (and moving to New Mexico 🙂 ) to accepting that we’re here for awhile and now to rearranging/remodeling to accommodate the return of our daughter and her two boys, ages 4 and 2. You can’t say that our life isn’t exciting!My office will become a bedroom, its original intent, the children will share a bedroom, another daughter who was out and back has a bedroom and my new office space will be included in the building of a shelving area in our master bedroom. The main thing is that everyone has not only adequate, but enjoyable and “livable” space.It is a joy to be, in a way, starting over…. Interesting comparison with the times that these same two daughters lived with us in an 18-foot trailer home. What supported us then will continue now – a sense of humor. (Along with a sprinkle of patience….)A week or so ago, along with the newly arrived family and guests from out-of-town we had a hot water line break in our kitchen and woke up on Saturday morning with a flooded kitchen and living room! We are grateful for Farmers Insurance Company, ServiceMaster, the plumber and the contractors (who are becoming a mainstay around the house…). The main inconvenience was the noise of the drying fans and dehumidifier for five days. The silence when they were removed was like a gift. So now we are back to “normal!”
From “Empty Nest” to “Full Nest”
At least it wasn’t raining…. As we parked in front of the house in which we once lived and waited for the call from our daughter who lived nearby, our thoughts and emotions ranged widely – depressed that things had turned out this way; but hopeful that our daughter could now get a new shot at happiness.
She had been living in an emotionally abusive marriage for about eight years. We perhaps suspected there were problems from what we saw and felt when we visited; but were blinded by a man well-versed in living a lie and a woman who was marvelous at maintaining the image wedded bliss. We had faced and dealt with many problems in our own relationship and believed, erroneously, that no problem was insurmountable.
The call came… We rushed to her home and began the transfer of bags and boxes of essentials and memories to the cars and another daughter’s pickup. In just an hour, she and two beautiful children were extracted and on the road to a new beginning. While traveling to our house as the interim sanctuary, the papers were served on her soon-to-be ex-husband.
Life goes in cycles – not always the ones we expect. There will be a transition period. We are enjoying our revised family and getting to know each other better. We have growing peace and hope in what the future will bring.
To be continued…
Ask us anything, really, don’t be shy…. :-)
Ask us a question or make a comment! It may be helpful to look through the “About Nana and Papa” on the right side. It’s a bit of our background – what we’ve experienced in over 40 years together.