I simply acquired again from per week in Maine with my children. I’d not clapped eyes on them in particular person for eighteen months, as a result of varied scheduling points, which was manner too lengthy, not doing that once more. I wished to spend my (milestone) June birthday with them, in no matter kind their work and college schedules allowed – none of them works an everyday 9-5, and one’s a nurse on night time shifts in a hospital, which appears particularly grueling to me, though she’s not complaining.
Anyway, the three children dwelling collectively in Maine moved from a tiny townhouse to an everyday home within the woods outdoors Freeport, which meant I may stick with them for the primary time – visitor bed room and every little thing! The child nonetheless dwelling in D.C. drove up, so we have been all underneath the identical roof, and it was pleasant. I gave the Maine Crew many of the furnishings from our previous life, and so the home doesn’t look or really feel like one thing cobbled collectively by broke twenty-somethings. It was actually pretty to see all of the previous acquainted furnishings, dishes, art work, and many others. in its new life, augmented after all with their very own purchases and given their very own stamp of persona.
There’s an fascinating connection between Maine and New Mexico, maybe as a result of Portland and Santa Fe are artsy / funky cities of an identical measurement, with a neighborhood meals scene, some tradition, lovely locales, outdoorsy stuff occurring, and many others. I do know individuals who flit forwards and backwards between the 2, although it’s a hell of a slog. I used to be unsurprised to find that a variety of people who acquired on the aircraft with me in Albuquerque made the identical connecting flight to Portland.
I packed roughly like I had for my journey to Dublin – cool and wet climate, and if it instantly acquired scorching and sunny I knew I may borrow garments for the day. We principally simply frolicked and performed video games and did puzzles and watched baking reveals and hiked a bit in native parks so I might be close to the water. (I can’t lie, I miss the coast.) The youngsters prefer to bake and I requested for and acquired a wonderful Crimson Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for my birthday, together with home made ice cream (Santa gave them an ice cream maker for Christmas), and a few actually candy, considerate presents.
Two years in, the Nice Maine Experiment has been wildly profitable. Actually, I had no thought how nicely that might work, the three of them dwelling collectively in Maine – would they get alongside? Get jobs? Get their lives collectively in varied methods? It may have been a catastrophe. It hasn’t all been easy crusing, however I’m massively impressed by every little thing they’ve discovered on their very own, together with what they wish to do and who they wish to be, which is a course of that by no means actually ends (I imply, I’m nonetheless engaged on it.) Tobin (the RN) has at all times tended towards sensible self-sufficiency and recognized her personal thoughts, typically annoyingly so, however the twins … not a lot, particularly with the arrival of COVID. The quantity of stuff they’ve discovered to do themselves (automotive upkeep, energy instruments, yard work, fancy cooking strategies) blows my thoughts a bit. Additionally, D.C. child is beginning a brand new, awesome-looking job this week which we celebrated. It’s a lot enjoyable watching the 4 of them develop into their very own methods of being, as younger adults.
And me? Jury’s out! A lot of introspection occurring over right here … I spent the primary 30 years of my life determining some main themes and instructions. The second 30 years featured A Lot Of Children and a few main plot twists. I remind myself of this as I embark on determining this subsequent chapter. I’m exploring the important, inside battle that has been a significant theme of my life: the will for stability, security, “dwelling” vs. a … sort of questing? A wanting that may appear basically at odds with different needs I’ve. Perhaps its’s a Gemini factor, at all times of two minds. I don’t know, however I’m engaged on it.
Associated