A lot has happened in the past 3 days. I have had several topics swirling in my head but have not had the time to put things down.
I will start with this past Friday. The day started gloriously. Bright, sunny I was driving North in New Hampshire which I love. Growing up in Vermont, I have a special affinity for mountains. Friday they were amazing green and offered me the comfort I feel when I go home. But the mountains weren’t the only reason I was in such a good mood. You see after 3 months of Corona Craziness and my mom and stepdad’s desires to be snowbirds every winter, I was finally going to see them! 7 long months over!
As I pulled onto the construction site my stepdad oversees, I was met with all kinds of stares, and a few are you lost comments. No, I said, I’m looking for my parents. As I gazed towards the doorway a tiny figure emerged. She looked so small in the gaping doorway, a mask covering most of her face. A bit out of place with all the burly construction guys. She spotted me and started running, I don’t think I have seen my mom run in 30 years, but with 13 grandkids and 2 greats, she still can move. We met halfway in the parking lot just holding each other and crying.
And for a moment I did not have to be the strong one, the reasonable one, the comforting one. I was the child again, getting reassurance that life will be ok, no matter how bleak it may seem at the time.
As we spent the day shopping and going out to eat, I savored every moment. When they left to go home, I felt renewed in energy and spirit. That night I was in a car accident. I was not hurt, however, my beloved car, which is only 21 months old and has been hit 3x may be totaled. Again, I tapped into parental strength with a call to my dad. After bawling my eyes out over the phone, dad said, what is the one important thing? It’s not how are you going to cover the deductible, it’s not can the car be fixed, is it jinxed, how am I going to get a new one. What’s important is you are still here and all right.
Deep down, I don’t need to fall back on my parents for guidance or reassurance, they have already given me those tools to use every day with my sons, friends, and coworkers. However, there is nothing like the feeling of comfort you get with a parent’s words, actions, or embrace. Always take that time, cherish that time and savor the moments you have with your parents. One day, there will not be a chance to be held as someone’s child.