The Next Phase

It has happened. I tried to avoid it, but it was out of my hands and it has happened. I have entered that next phase of life. I am now a mother-in-law. My oldest son got married this past weekend and my family has expanded by four. Yes, four. No, he did not marry four women and start his own harem. His new bride brings three children to the family; two girls and a boy. They are wonderful kids and she's a beautiful, charming young woman and I'm over the moon happy for all of them.

It's going to be a transition though for me. I wasn't always the most patient of moms, and I don't think I'm going to be the most patient of grandmothers, either. Did I say that g-word? Yes, I'm having issues. It's all me, though. I just don't want to get old. Older, that's inevitable, but I don't want to be OLD. Yes, there is a difference.

My mother is a grandmother six times over and a great-grandmother eight times over but she is not old. She travels, teaches, writes, and has a great quality of life. I've known other people who were old before they ever had children, much less generations beyond. I don't want to be those people. I want to be more like my mother.

How do I plan to not get old, even though nature demands I get older? I'm not sure yet, but I have some ideas. One, I will never stop writing. If I stop writing, my head will explode and I will die. Very simple. Two, I shall remain socially active in some way, most likely through Toastmasters and my network of friends there. I will find a church wherein I can grow my faith, share my experiences and learn from others. I will laugh at cartoons, dance a little now and then and go barefoot in the rain. I will sing songs from old musicals and drive my husband crazy. I will play. I will watch football and yell for and at my favorite teams. I will refuse to allow past disappointments to color my expectations of future endeavors. In short, I will LIVE. I will THRIVE. I will not get old.

Yes, I am now a grandmother. Thank you David and Shannon and Joslyn and Emmy and Kenny. Welcome to the family and know that you are and will continue to be loved and cherished for the simple fact of who you are. You are family.