Whew – we made it! Months of planning and prepping, organizing and arranging brought us to and brought us through our youngest boy’s graduation party.
It – was – a – lot – of – work.
We’re tired but in a happy kind of way.
Our guests had fun.
He had fun.
And little ones had fun.
And, in my usual fashion, there’s that old familiar feeling creeping in … the one that says now what?
I’m the planner, you see.Ā The keeper of the social calendar. The orchestrator of fun.Ā A maestro of mischief.
And what’s next is a lot of open time.
Oh, there are a things coming up – other graduation parties, family gatherings and a wedding.
But that’s not what I mean.
What’s next is undocumented.
What’s next is rather unknown.
And that feels a odd to me.
But instead of charging forward and making myself yet another to-do list, I’m settling into the now.
I’m easing into what it feels like to know he’s grown and it’s his time now. It’s up to him to get up in time for work, to register for classes in the fall, to make sure his clothes are ready and that he has enough gas in the car.
I’m finding now is a rather nice place to be.
Quit worrying about what’s next. I want you to be worried about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor? ~ Mother Theresa
Now it’s YOU time š
yes … it is! I will still be there for him, as I always have, but it’s different somehow and *surprise* I kinda like it! š MJ
Yay!! It’s wonderful seeing your children grow their own wings and for you to have the opportunity to spread your own š
yes it is .. š MJ
Wow, you are SERIOUS about your grad parties. I think my daughter will get dinner and a gift. What a lucky family you have. Enjoy your new adventures.
I think it’s a Midwestern thing; we didn’t have these where I grew up nor did they have them *(to this extent) when we lived down south. He would have been happy with dinner and a gift, too but we would have had a lot of confused relatives. š MJ
Like a teabag these in between moments are best steeped a good while š Enjoy.
*anna
perfect advice, Anna, thank you
MJ
My son has three years of high school left. Help! It is going too quickly already!
Looks like you went down memory lane quite a bit compiling things for his graduation party – bitter sweet I’m sure. I hope you enjoy your “now” and find peace in the unknown.
~d.
it goes by in a flash š MJ
I’m so happy to hear the party was a success. I’m like you in this regard. I have trouble living in the now. I like to plan. I like to know what’s coming. But goodness that Mother Theresa quote is profound, is it not? I needed to hear that today, so thank you, MJ!
Hugs,
Kathy
Like you, I find comfort in knowing what’s coming — a plan is good for me. But sometimes I think it’s ok to let myself drift a bit. And when I found that quote, I knew it was just perfect for this … hugs to you. I hope to catch up on my blogreading today š MJ
Such a blessing to visit you here…this is wonderful! I relate on so many levels…the planning (for sure!) and adjusting to this new stage. You’ve captured the feelings so well. I will carry your title with me, love the quote and….CONGRATS to the grad!!
thank you so much, Adrienne. I appreciate your kind words of support. MJ
Great job on the party and congrats on getting him through it all. Take a deep breath and relax….nothing HAS to be done right now. Did you purposely paint your nails to match the inner tube????
thanks Coop and the nail thing was just a happy accident š MJ
All true, MJ. But we’re mothers. It’s human nature for us to worry about our children – no matter how old they are!
without a doubt š MJ
This was such a bittersweet time for me. I was happy that my son was accepted into a college where he would be a starting baseball pitcher. That the college was 3 hrs. away, not so much! And I was so busy planning and shopping and then…I let go. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done. And the men, my husband and my son, were worse than me.
I feel your pride mixed with trepidation. We’re here for you. Whatever comes, you can let it all out here and we have your back. Your job is well done.
Thank you, Renee – thank you for sharing your story and your words of advice. You’re spot on – the men have been worse. A sniffle there, a cough and a throat clearing here … yep … it’s a transition and one I am happy we will all make together, in our own way that is. MJ
Your last photo cracked me up, to laughing out loud. š
I imagine that you and the hubbs will find something to do with your newly found freedom. Two words…road trip?
Enjoy.
R
hee hee. We have a wedding coming up this summer and we’re going to *gasp* get a hotel room near the venue … the kid’s old enough to take care of old dog. Whee!!
MJ
Sha’woo! And congratulations!! What a great picture of you, the hubs and the grad. Excellent!
You have a wonderfully open road ahead of you. Enjoy this adventure.
Thank you, Lenore Diane. It’s been fun thinking about what new/different things I might want to try. Hubbs has always wanted me to golf with him (perfect world in his view) and there are a few other things I’m pondering .. but for right now – nothing … enjoying the vast space of no commitments … ahh š MJ
Congratulations! You’re about to experience a delicious new space…it takes a while to move in and make yourself at home, but I have confidence that you’ll do it! Enjoy, and celebrate the fact that you’ve done a great job raising a man. Time to reap the reward and follow your bliss, wherever that leads.
Love the quote!
~ Sheila
Thank you, Sheila! I know you’ve been through this and have happily come through to the other side … I appreciate all of your words of wisdom. Thank you sweet friend, MJ
It’s an odd feeling, I know. But if anyone is capable of taking things in stride, it’s you. Enjoy the now!
Thanks, Terri š MJ
What’s next is a “New Adventure Of Life”….I promise it will be fun:) Just let go for now…trust that you will move forward with hope and faith…all will be good:) Your family is beautiful MJ:) God Bless N Hugs:)
yes .. it is a good feeling. And now I am learning how to operate without checking off the list for a while – all new behavior for me. Training wheels are off!
š MJ
Congratulations to you and your son! I liked the title of your post–words to live by and something I need to be reminded of frequently. Enjoy your now!
Thank you so much … I think we all need that reminder from time to time. Congratulations on your retirement and I am looking forward to reading about your next adventures š MJ
What a great way to celebrate…taking time for yourself.
Thank you .. I figured it was about “time,” pardon the pun š MJ
Congratulations on your son’s graduation! And the party looks fabulous! What an accomplishment for your family.
Thank you, Leah … it was a lot of work but we also had a lot of fun; good friends helped us and that made all the difference! MJ
Congratulations to your grad! Love Mother Theresa’s quote you have at the end.
Thank you; I really loved it, too … really made me think!
MJ
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