As if the stress of raising kids in today's hustle-bustle
world isn't enough, with both of you working and the price of everything going
through the roof; let's add to your family situation a couple of
well-intentioned, "experienced" child-rearing experts.
I mean, after all, look at the fine job we did raising you.
For the purpose of this article, let's assume that you
haven't, at least not yet, taken the easy way out and moved across the
country---far away from "Grandma and Grandpa", "Grams and
Gramps", or whatever pet names you have assigned us.
No, imagine that you are the fortunate ones who have these
virtual "fonts of child-rearing knowledge" living right next
door---literally or figuratively.
Quick, easy baby sitting service, right? Right! You've
probably already discovered that nothing is ever "quick and easy"
when "G......and G......" are involved.
Thanks to modern medicine and the AARP (Association for the
Advancement of Retired People), G and G are probably nearly as busy as you are.
The truth of the matter is that you will probably find yourselves called upon
to house and pet sit on an all-too-regular basis, as these two aged adventurers
depart on one project after the other. There are, after all, cruises to be
taken, many old friends to be visited, and plenty of beaches to be walked
hand-in-hand at sunset/sunrise.
True, we weren't there for you as much as we would have
liked during your formative years; but, please remember, we weren't there for
ourselves much either. We somehow managed to shuffle careers with baseball and
cheer-leading practice; housework with PTA meetings; sleep with sleep-overs and
birthday parties. You know the drill. You're living it right now.
Forgive us please if we sometimes seem a bit jealous of our
time. Do you remember all of the things we predicted that you would understand
when you grew up and had your own family? Trust us on this one too then, when
we say that you will also, someday, understand where we are right now. That
understanding will come all too soon.
Right now, you assume as we did, that you have years and
years to go.
Do you remember the day you were born? How about the day you
finished high school, then college? Can you remember three days BEFORE your
wedding? You remember some; but, we remember it ALL. And do you know what? From
our current perspective, it all happened in an instant.
And now, for most of us, that "instant" contains
over 50 years of change. Remember also, that many of us are "old
hippies" at heart; and, Viagra not withstanding, many of us still retain
that mindset. We were the "Make Love, Not War"
generation-----something you have only read about in your history books; along
with Vietnam, the Cold War, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, "......A giant step
for mankind", Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, Sputnik and
CHALLENGER; and a host of other mind-boggling, life-altering,
belief-challenging experiences.
We know that we're not unique. Each generation somehow
survives its "defining moments". Our parents had World War Two and
"the bomb". Their parents had World War One and The Great Depression.
You've already had Iran and Iraq and September 11th; and you
are living in a world that has changed forever.
You'll survive; our grandkids will survive and thrive, as
will their children. We just want you to know how blessed we feel to be able to
continue sharing in this adventure.
Please bear with us if we don't always fit the traditional
"G....and G...." stereotype. It's a brand new century for all of us.
Bear with us also if we seem to think that we have imperfect
children.....and perfect grandchildren. You can take some comfort from the fact
that our parents held the very same thought. Something else that you will
understand.......all too soon.
Thanks so much to all of you; for being you.....and of our
life.
