I loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. My children are 55, 52 and 43…all married but only 1 granddaughter and 3 great-grands. Yep, they do grow up fast. I still look back and sometimes wish I could hold that little bald-head baby, pick flowers with that toddler and talk about boys after my teenager returns from a dance. Then reality sets in and I know I wouldn’t be up to that right now….but all those many memories sure are a blessing. Besides, I have an adopted family now and they sure are growing up fast, too.

KellyBurton– YOU know!!!

DELIVERED– Thank you.

auburn60– That’s what my sister Liz says… Thanks for the empathy, and the offer (Madi’s kinda talking UTC lately.)

bettywoodward– You’re right– grandchildren would NOT be good news right now! (But later, for sure!)

LindaB– Every grandparent I know feels exactly the same way you do!

sherieaster– Hey girl! Yeah, somehow I don’t think I’d do the ‘surprise baby’ thing as gracefully as you have… But the idea is kinda fun!

LindaB/auburn60– Can you even imagine?! Russ would have to be hospitalized at the news!

Karin– Yikes, you’re one year ahead of me! (How are you holding up?)

rockin robyn– That song kills me.

rachelbaker– Yep, it’s the same blink of an eye, all right.

MostlySunny– I remember when I left home, I was the youngest of 6 and I thought Mom and Dad would be devastated… They went on a cruise of the Greek islands.

The only thing “they” don’t tell you when they go away is, their friends go away, too. It’s awfully quiet, but still fun!

Yes, they do grow up so fast…

Daily we always create something to worry about. My niece just turned 12 and we are all “Do you believe in 4 years she’ll be wanting to drive… and we’ll be worrying about her on the roads” bla bla bla…

I say you must have done an awesome job with them and had a great time and that has allowed time to fly. But I know these products of Russ and Tori will go out into the world and do great things. Sumpin to be proud of!!

Now load up the cd player – Trace Adkins “Your Gonna Miss This”

See? We don’t stand a chance.

Um…I think we’re doomed.

Ya know, now days, kids tend to not leave their nest, or return to it after a short time on their own. It’s the economy. You may have those little cherubs around longer than you anticipated.

What sweet pictures! Time does seem to fly.

I can see I continue to have my work cut out for me with you on this topic.

Yes, you do have those moments in time before the first one leaves the nest where you catch yourself constantly viewing the scene in front of you and saying: ‘Oh no! It will never be like this again.’
And I won’t lie. When that first one leaves you sort of feel like you just had your arm amputated–without anesthesia.
BUT…you survive. Because they are so proud of themselves. And you did a good job giving them the skills to go out on their own. And… you have no choice.

So I’d say you have two choices: You can keep your eyes focused on me and repeat as your mantra: ‘She made it through and so will I’…OR you can send Madi here to K-town to go to school where I can report back to you regularly.

(Just Kidding, Madi.)

Yeah… (Sigh)