Mum's Birthday

Time flies by.  I see the evidence of this nearly daily.  My computer runs through all my old picture files when I am not using it because the slide show is the screen saver.  Tiny KC tapping on the keys of a computer when he was still a toddler.  Tiny Lissa challenging the slide at the park. Rob at 8 playing baseball, and at 12 when he began to skateboard.  Blink and the next photo is Rob at prom, and Lissa as a Junior Girl Scout and KC as a confident teen in one of his many dance classes.

But time has not just flown for them.  It has also flown for our aging parents.  I noticed when my FIL came out for the dance recital this year that he looked --well, older.  He still bowls and is active but there is a new frailty somehow.  He does not look robust.  The years are whittling away at him. He has always been so vital and vibrant, that this new proof of mortality chills me.  He is my dad in so many ways, much more than a father in law to me.

Yesterday we went to Maine to celebrate my Mom's birthday. She turns 85 on the 29th  She too, is seeming older.  Movement is at times more challenging for her.  Her energy is less constant.  She has recurrent health issues that take her attention and energy.  Which is not to say she is helpless or on the verge of stepping through to the summerlands.  But I have the feeling that our time with both of them is precious and finite.

So today's trip was very special as Rob had the day off from work and was able to come with us.  So the entire clan was there, including Lissa's dog Luna who has captured my mom's heart--celebrating, laughing and of course, eating!

She enjoyed her gifts, but the best gift of all for her was that Rob could be there.  Often now, when we go up, he is at work and not able to be with us.  Her smile was a mile wide when he walked through the door.

I am really lucky that by and large my kids have always gotten how important being there for family is.  They make a lot of effort to be there for each other and for our extended family and I am so grateful. Likewise, extended family have been there for my kids.  Attending dance recitals, calling on birthdays, coming to visit and just always being interested in them.  It matters so much.  It really is a village that raises a child and I am blessed and my kids are blessed that the inner core of our village is so loving and constant for them.