jax will be 18 friday. even though he has no plans to leave the “nest” anytime soon, i’m feeling the weight of time. he’s finishing up his last high school credits this year and, we HOPE, then starting on some college “stuff.” we’ll see.
wow. 2003 is / has been a big year. college degrees for matt and mel. the wedding. jax’s first lead and his one year sobriety “anniversary.” i’m so proud of this family. we’ve had significant challenges the past 10 years, and here we are. really stronger than ever. and crazy about each other. i cannot / will not say that i’ve enjoyed these challenges or that i look forward to more; BUT – i will say that i can look back on all of them and am grateful for them. they’ve each been a “gift.” changed us. tempered us. but i AM ready for a break here. pray that we’ll have a couple years of calm.
but, boy-oh-boy, this “18” thing. this is my “baby!” all 6 feet, and how many pounds of him. long-haired, chain-smoking, tattoed, pierced. sweet, compassionate, funny, spiritual, artistic, smart. the real deal. we’ll see where he’s headed. he knows he’s loved and where to find support. from the family and others.
all my life i knew i wanted a family. a family you could depend on. i met bill when i was 16. the rest of the story you know. we’ve made a family. it’s my whole life. the boys know this; everybody who knows me (really knows me) knows this. through the years i’ve wondered (i know matt kinda worried about this) how bill and i’d handle the empty nest “thing.” i really think – only god knows why – we’re cool with it. it really is AWESOME to be a family with these big guys, too! i LOVED sitting in a lawn chair for HOURS off the driveway watching them roll around on big wheels and other assorted vehicles. i LOVED watching all the hockey games. i LOVED all the kid stuff. but i think i’m gonna LOVE all that’s coming, too. weird. really don’t know how i made the transition. really i don’t.
WISH JAX A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! everybody’s coming “home” this weekend. mark’s 23rd is next wednesday, so we’ll celebrate that, too. lee and don are coming up. bill and don don’t know how many groundhogs they’ll find around us, so i heard them talking yuppies and PAINT-BALL GUNS (!!!). i hope they’re kidding. we’re thinking an impromptu “steven segal film festival” might be in order. we’ll see.
we’re getting our new stove today. the old one’s going down the basement ONLY TO STAY AS LONG AS THE OVEN WORKS! DO YOU HEAR ME, BILL????!!! anyway. just in time for the weekend. phew.
The beautiful connection which you and Bill have, will never allow you to experience that empty nest syndrome. You will go on together walking a whole new path, sharing new adventures and new experiences which you will in turn share with your grandchildren one day. And you will never loose your sons but will always gain a daughter when they marry.
Posted by: Michelle at September 24, 2003 01:53 PMI have discussed this with G and ZZ, they understand they are NOT allowed to grow past ten.
d
Posted by: d at September 24, 2003 07:23 PMYou've reassured me a bit Stacy. Christian now lives in England with his Grandmother, sometimes I miss him so much, but, I concentrate on knowing that he is happy and doing what he wants to do. What greater gift can us Mothers give them than the freedon to live their own lives. Hope you have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Anji at September 25, 2003 06:05 AMMichelle put it quite nicely I think.
Posted by: kathy at September 25, 2003 01:29 PMYou are going to have a GREAT weekend!!!
Posted by: Kathy Howe at September 25, 2003 03:21 PM