Parenthood

I don’t think it matters a twit whether Moms and Dads are living in the United States, Mexico, Italy, Shanghai, or at the North Pole…whether you’re retired or not. Once a parent, always a parent; age just doesn’t even enter the picture!

For example, our “Baby” is now over 40 years old.  But, he will be my “Baby” forever.  Same goes for the other two sons – though they are really getting mature, they will all always be my “Babies”.  And I will worry about them and try to help them until the day I die.

I’m sure most of you are parents too (planned or not )! So, did you ever try to get a dinner arranged for the family – not a holiday – just a get together for everyone?

Then you know what I’ve been going through the past several days. It seems simple enough – Dick and I planned on Easter at home with the family coming in, other than middle son in L.A. He didn’t get off enough time to make the trip…but, he could come now, just a few weeks later.  Still seems simple enough, doesn’t it?  With two sons living near, we’d have a get together whenever Steve could make it. Couple of weeks after Easter.

Still pretty simple – now, we get down to time of the day. Oh boy – then the problems start. Now, Steve will be on an approximately 10 hour trip – two segments – because he wants to stop in Algodones and get some more dental work done – more on that later on.

So, Steve goes first to Algodones, and stays overnight and then has only about 4 more hours to come home. We both figure he should show up on our door step by 6 p.m. Then, because he chose it, instead of Mom cooking, we’ll all go out to eat – with the family. Perfect planning, cause at Easter that’s what we pretty much talked about and decided upon. Perfect.

So, an email to eldest. Actually 3 emails to him – hoping he will read at least one of them. Then, two email to youngest and to his partner. Surely one of them will read my email…sort of reminders and confirmations that dinner is planned for the family.  Job done… Almost.

I probably better send them phone messages too. And I’ll notify them via Skype. I’m feeling pretty confident – that just a few weeks after Easter, at 6 p.m., or shortly thereafter, we will all go out to eat together.

Then the fun begins…

“Mom, was that 6 or 7?” “Well, just when does Steve think he’ll make it?” “Mom, was that 7 or 8?” “Is Richard coming?”… and so forth. Now, I just had a phone call from Steve – time of arrival is 6 – in just a couple of hours, he’ll be here. Two phone calls later, and I think everyone knows his arrival time and that dinner plans are still firm.

Hopefully they remember where they are going …and don’t end up at a theater somewhere Oh well – I’ll let you all know. Until then, give a thanks to the powers that be that you have those wonderful kids, take a deep breath, relax, and just enjoy this beautiful summer weather!

Addendum:  Wow!  It all worked out perfectly!  We had a great time!

 

EMAIL from Readers:

“Hi Barbie.  I read your book; you saved so many people a lot of headaches; thank you so much; I admire you.  You seem like a great person. I would be interested.  I was thinking of beach front property in Rosarito; is that near you or where you mentioned?  Yes. I would like that person to email me; maybe he knows about properties for sale.  I was thinking of maybe going there spur of the moment this weekend.  I think it would be fun to at least check things out. I was thinking more for a vacation investment for now.  Thanks again. My email at work is xxxx (deleted by Barbie) which is where I can be reached during the day.  Thanks again.  I will let you know what happens. Nice speaking to you!!”

and:

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