David and I have one chick left in the nest. He graduates from high school in June. And I am marking the days. I keep a gigantic calendar and mark a red X each day. For my son’s sake (and to avoid horrified looks from house guests), I keep the calendar between the mattresses of my bed.
I’m fully aware how bad this looks, so I will explain myself. I LOVE MY
KIDS! But, when June 8 rolls around, I will have spent almost twenty five years of my life raising them. I deserve this dirty little secret.
This callousness does not make me impervious to the emotional milestones along the way. I recently received my son’s cap and gown picture taken at his school. My heart literally stopped when I saw it. I have spent many moments in the privacy of my bedroom looking at them and wondering how my baby has gotten so big. And in time I will be strong enough to take the photos down from the ceiling above my bed. Maybe when we put the house on the market.
I have learned that it pays to plan to avoid random emotional outbursts. My oldest daughter, The Piglet, will never forgive me the coyote-like howling from the front row aisle seat that occurred at her graduation ceremony. So I have resolved that on June 8, I will not sit at my son’s graduation in the vicinity any of these people:
1) Other mothers graduating their youngest child
2) Single mothers graduating their only child
3) My husband
The school community at large will thank me (I’m kind of notorious).
I have similar plans for my son’s last Tuesday with us, the last macaroni and cheese dinner, his last Dentist appointment and, of course, the last time he throws his shoes and socks off in the middle of the living room floor. Trust me, it pays to have your bases covered when you have the tendency to be an emotional wreak.
If all else fails, I can just take a peek under my mattress…
Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Hidden away upstairs past the sign that says “These steps are ancient and irregular.”These folks know their food! The staff is aware of culinary nuisances and are very willing to share their thoughts. The menu has a fun flair, naming gourmet dishes “Get the Duck Outta Here” and “Try This Rasta’s Pasta” keeps it casual. We didn’t miss snooty pretense one little bit.
On the Boardwalk. A short stroll to the Christiansted Boardwalk and the romantic, on-the-water Rumrunners. We loved this place, complete with huge tarpons swimming right up to shore sniffing around for scraps. We came in a bit late, but our waitress was very happy to have us come in for dessert. We snagged a water-side table.