Some of my happiest days have been spent with a carload of kids, going from one activity to the next. When they were small, it was Fairy Tale Town and the Zoo, the train museum and the fishy store. It was hopping from park to park and car singing and going “the secret way.” Only a select few know my secret way, so if you are one of them, I hope you consider yourself lucky.
When they were school age, it was often LdV field trips and play dates. Then ski trips and Ashland, swim meets and water parks. Countless days with my kids and their friends, making memories. Creating their happy childhood.
Working NOCS and my sweet RN schedule allowed me to do all those things, when a lot of other parents had to work. I am so very thankful for that.
Those mom days are so rare, now. Like really rare. They want to get away from me, more often than not. I don’t blame them, lol. I know where I was at their ages. They want to be independent and with their friends. They almost always don’t want us parents around. They need to practice being “adults” and act like they are grown. I get it.
But let me tell you this. Today was beautiful. I had a car full of some of my favorite kids that not only tolerated me, but showed me love and allowed me in. We took off this morning at 0700 and drove to Cal Poly. 4.5 hours. Singing the whole way, taking turns choosing music. Then we walked around campus for hours, at a beautiful school close to the ocean. If I were to do it over again, I think I would have chosen Cal Poly. For so many reasons…
Then we got something to eat and went on a hunt for Pirates Cove, a beach suggested by our tour guide. We hiked and climbed and got there. It was gorgeous and special. And yes, clothing is optional at that beach. Ours stayed on. Then we got back on the road and drove 4.5 hours back home and sang the whole way. I admit it was mostly me and Dylan doing the singing, but still.
Today was stolen. It was stolen from Coach Steve and polo practice. It was stolen from cute boys and “vibing.” It was stolen from summer reading that is only 25% done with a week and a half left to get it done. It was stolen from waiting tables at Shari’s and from Robbie. And it was stolen from covid.
The days are long, but the years are short. I hope they know what these days mean to me.
I hope that someday they feel as privileged to be mine as I am to be theirs.
🖤
Annie D 