Quite a bit has happened since my last blog update, not the least of which is that last Friday, 1 June, we received our visas. As has been par for the course, there was some drama receiving them but arrive they did, and we are set for our grand Spanish adventure.
Our youngest and my Dad have a mutual love of the New York Yankees, and flights between the US and Spain are much less expensive from New York, so we chose to spend a few days in NY City with my parents before we hop our flight over. #3 is so excited about catching a game of the Subway Series that he has forgotten to be upset about moving.
At this point, all of the boys are on Summer Break, and each is enjoying the relaxed responsibilities of this time of year. #1 is preparing for his departure to Israel; he leaves in 3 weeks. #2 is getting over a head cold which happened to coincide with the end of the school year. #3 has been jumping from friend's house to friend's house and loving every minute.
C and I have enjoyed the lack of homeowner responsibilities. While we are still doing laundry and cleaning, we do not have yard work or pool maintenance to factor into our weekend plans. It's been a relief mentally, physically, and financially.
We are enjoying the time with my parents as well. I assumed that living in one home would be fraught with bickering and slow-simmering passive aggressiveness. Fortunately, that is not the case. Everything considered it is easy going.
With each day bringing us closer to #1 leaving, my tears flow easier. C and I are very proud of the independence that we cultivated in our boys, but the reality of their scattering is hitting me hard. Last week I was a blubbering mess just from seeing a silly Snapchat map with all of us together.
ROOTS and WINGS
By Denis Waitley
If I had two wishes, I know what they would be
I'd wish for roots to cling to, and wings to set me free;
roots of inner values, like rings within a tree,
and wings of independence to seek my destiny.
Roots to hold forever to keep me safe and strong,
to let me know you love me, when I've done something wrong;
to show me by example, and helps me learn to choose,
to take those actions everyday, to win instead of lose.
Just be there when I need you, to tell me it's alright,
to face my fear of falling when I test my wings in flight;
Don't make my life to easy, it's better if I try,
And fail and get back up myself, so I can learn to fly.
If I had two wishes, and two were all I had,
And they could just be granted, by my Mom and Dad;
I wouldn't ask for money any store-bought things,
the greatest gifts I'd ask for are simply Roots and Wings.
