I woke with a start. myPhone was chirping again. I jumped up to read the incoming text message. I was hoping it was from L but it wasn’t. It was Lil Sis…
LS: Do u have to go to the store?
The chill of the morning, in a house who’s thermostat is still programmed for its occupants to be gone during the week, hit me. I quickly returned to my bed to write my reply.
Me: Mno (I was just waking up. My eyes and fingers were not cooperating)
LS: What?
Me: No
LS: Got it. Did u get the pictures
Me: Not all. It stopped after the first of the boys with guns
LS: I’ll look at it later! Sophie’s asking me why that boy with the brown hair is going to marry the girl.
Me: AND you said…
Me (again): Was that because she heard us or them?
LS: At first I didn’t know who she was talking about. Then she said they told her.
Me: Whoa
LS: It could be ’cause she thinks if u kiss someone you’re going to marry them. (Ha. She’ll learn)
Me: Well they’re leaving today for a Christmas to themselves. It could happen then. (We have been speculating)
LS: Yep! She’s really great; just think you’re already a grandmother too. No need to worry about that either.
Me: What? Do you mean that they would have a child, not that she is pregnant already?
LS: No silly. The DOG.
Me: OH. Well I am NOT taking on the title for HER. (This being the dog who has been peeing and pooping in my house since she arrived)
LS: Ok. U need to be accepting
Me: Funny. Just ‘cuz it’s not you.
LS: It will be one day. Probably worse.
Me: You’re probably right. (sigh and head downstairs for coffee)
LS: This may be the “mom” test
Me: OMG. I just came downstairs. I think my granddaughter’s parents and uncle are tornados in disguise. Talk about a “mom” test
LS: Tell them we need to clean up! It’s your place and they aren’t kids.
Me: I’m sure not doing it.
Me (again): I just dumped coffee grounds all over my floor. I’d better take a break from this.
I wonder if this is what it like for mother’s whose young have left the nest and return for the holidays with girls and dogs in tow. There is the anticipation of wonderful things like engagements — I know that I am not the first mom to jump to this conclusion — and there is the dread of the not-so-pleasant dog making a special trip to your room (post walk) to leave a Christmas surprise. Let’s not forget the two oldest boys dropping their shoes, shirts, and garbage all over this two-story house.
My world has been turned upside down. And although I realize that I will be sad and missing them once they have returned to their other homes, I will not miss the constant state of disaster that is now my home.
BoBo, YaYa and I are heading out for more holiday fun with the Family (at large) in a couple of hours. The lovebirds are leaving for their special Christmas celebration and will be returning tomorrow to wish me a Happy Birthday. I guess I’ll find out then if we’ll have anything else to celebrate beside me getting older — like me becoming the “Grandmother” of a cute little dog that just happens to enjoy to pooping in my room.
Stay tuned…