Shifting gears
Monday, May 9, 2011 at 08:05PM Now that Code has departed, it is just me and the boys here at home to get the house (and ourselves) ready for the trip. We have exactly 6 weeks from tomorrow until we leave, but I am going to pretend it is really just 5. I didnt put much, if anything, on the boat ahead of time for us (except for a box of Lego's and a Space Monkey set). We're going to have to shlep life jackets, warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes, toys (they will each get a smallish box in which they can fill with toys of their choosing...but that's it!), shoes (an analogous large-ish box that I can fill with shoes of my liking??). I've heard to bring nice clothes for France (I am totally intimidated...my french is pretty pathetic).
Still need to register the boys for their on line school. Need to get my root canal done. Need a tetanus shot. Just random things. Yet, in the midst of the to do list, my mind goes back to 'departure night'...with the boat leaving the marina just after dusk. The water was glassy and black, the bow sliced through it and was followed by the quiet little putt putt of the motor at the stern. It really was serene. Then my mind pops back into a different gear all together.
My mom is nervous about this year, of course. She is 90 going on 70. Her body likes to complain now and again - double knee replacement, mild type II diabetes, pacemaker notwithstanding, she still makes it to the gym a couple of times a week. Possibly more often than I do. She still is and always be my source of inspiration for knowing that it is never too late to act on a dream. She went back to work at age 50 (when I was 5), got her masters degree 8 years later at 58, and retired at 70. I am now exactly half of her age. When she was 45, she had a baby. Now I am 45, I am taking my young sons out to see a much bigger world, a second birth of sorts. Maybe it is true, that there's something about mid life that makes one almost recklessly embark on a totally new chapter and all the while know that not matter how things go, everything is going to be not only alright, but life will be richer for it.
Reader Comments (2)
Don't worry about the french, Janet. They will only be intrigued by you if you say nothing. Red lipstick, Hermes knock-off scarf. That is pretty much everything you need for france. Too bad you don't smoke. Hold a drink instead.
Thinking of you.
xoxo B
Oh Janet sounds crazy heard about the winds glad they are safe
wish I could help you fixed sink will have 2000 quick apple trees may live scrapped with my hand so gross lawn mower home no new blade then not work so take it back snaked pipe all good now
Romeo so missing you all this summer you can do it go girl good luck
Love Linda