We have seen nearly all our friends and family now that we have been home for a month. Many things have changed in people's lives since we left for Mexico a year and a half ago. Somethings though remain the same, like the fact that I am still driving my VW Beetle which turns 12 years old this June. I certainly did not expect to be driving Fiona, as I affectionately call her, for a decade plus but I am glad I am.Harry's accident in Mexico changed our life suddenly and dramatically. Change is part of life, sometimes it is the only thing we can and should count on. But we resist change, especially when it demands that we look at things differently or when we must accept what we cannot change.
Within the last few years we entered the grandparent stage of life and recently so have many of our friends. Grandchildren change your life. We are going to see Brian and Vicki tonight who had two grand babies born while we were away. They now have two highchairs in their dinning room. Friends we are seeing tomorrow night are awaiting word when they will fly to Bogota to support their son and daughter in law who are adopting a Colombian child. Our friends, Dick and Cindy, also had a grandchild born a few months ago and Cindy babysits Jesse two days a week. All these children, and soon to arrive children, have brought many joyous changes in how the new grandparents live their lives. Given a choice many people would probably opt to have grandchildren but it is not a gift bestowed on all who wish for it. And for some, becoming a grandparent can bring challenges that are difficult. We lost our highly anticipated grandchild four years ago. Ben lived less than a week. I continue to think about him. He would have been nearly four now. We have a picture in our living room of our daughter in law, Joanna, holding little Ben in her arms the night he died.
Life can change in an instant and in ways one never could predict or prepare for. Things we hope and dream for can suddenly be lost, or they never materialize at all. Amazing and wonderful things we never dreamed of happen. My daughter called from New York today and she said, "you know mom, I just wanted to call you to say a quick hi and tell you what a beautiful day it is here today in New York. I'm walking around my new neighborhood and I love it so much. I don't know how long I will be living here but I want to make sure that I remember to appreciate each day I do live here." Well said!
Like it or not, we live in a world where change is the only constant. Each day brings some sort of change, sometimes sudden and swift change that leaves you stunned and shaking with fear and sometimes change that leave you breathless with joy. Having a little more appreciation and joy and a sense of wonder for each day is probably all we can really do. We have no real control over most of the changes we inevitably will face in our lives.
Eva, our granddaughter who arrives to visit on Thursday, I know will have changed so much since Grandma Jeanne saw her last January. She is talking up a storm now. Lexi's new neighborhood is a big wonderful change for her and I can hardly wait to visit her in September on her birthday. Exciting changes for sure! It is nice though that somethings never seem to change, like that old yellow bug Fiona. A little rust maybe, but still the same.
We all seem to have a little bit of "rust" on our fenders.
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