The last few days have been filled with excitement as we welcomed our newest addition to the family. They have been busy ones as well. For those of us used to living on schedule, changes can be exhausting. It is a mental thing as mush as a physical thing. The majority of us do live on a schedule, either going to school or work. Then after we retire, we create our own schedule. Some will continue with the old schedule just modified a bit, perhaps part time, unable to retire cold turkey. I didn't have an issue with that, I embraced the freedom! The problem did become what to do with all that freedom. I was old enough to retire but young enough to get into mischief. Fortunately I hadn't compiled a fortune that needed spending or any legacy to be concerned with. I figure that must be a burden. At least I don't have to worry about any of that.
It's amazing how quickly things do change. We are all aware that they will, we plan for them, anticipate them and are sometimes anxious for them but still we are a bit surprised. My grandson is now a father. Well, that's a change. My son is a grandfather. Sure I knew all that was going to happen; most likely; never had a thought that anything different would take place. So it did happen on January the eighth, 2025. Four days later and I'm sitting here scratching my head, how did all that happen so fast? It's exhausting it what it is. I even slept in this morning as it all catches up.
Now my grandson is still in law school but does have a full time job as well. His wife is a registered nurse and has full time employment. She is, of course, on maternity leave. Thing is they live quite a distance from us. An hour and a half drive away. That's a long drive for us these days. We have to cross the bay bridge and go through the bay tunnel. Lots of traffic and crazy drivers between Greensboro and Middle river. As a result I'm afraid we won't be seeing our great granddaughter as often as we would like. This isn't like the television shows I used to watch or those hallmark movies. Everyone is busy working and living their lives as best as they can.
We received a Frameo electronic picture frame for Christmas. With that device pictures can be instantly shared to us. We hear a little beep and presto a new picture appears. This modern technology is something else. It will do videos as well. We have been getting pictures of the baby and are grateful for that. She's brand new! I realize that over time the picture sending will slow down as a routine is established. I am hoping for frequent visits. In the warmer months, when the daylight lasts longer, we will travel to their home more frequently. Great grandparents don't like to drive in the dark you know. Soon my son, the grandfather, will start feeling the same way. Being a grandparent does change your perspective just a bit.
It will be a return to the routine in no time. The knowledge that I have a great grandchild will sink in slowly. You don't really understand that until you can interact with them. What I mean is, they are aware of you, and just who you are. Now that takes some time. It is something I have mentioned a few times in the past, I repeat myself, how, as a child I didn't always grasp relationships. My mother has a mother? You mean to tell me there is someone who can boss her around? Cousins are who? Wait, you say we are all family but they don't live here, not even in the same town. I'm anxious to explain all of that to Elliotte. Families aren't always as straight forward as you might think. It can be confusing.
I have developed an interest in genealogy and history since retiring. I have had the time to investigate and the internet has provided the resources. I currently do not have a subscription to Ancestry but will most likely renew it in the spring. I'm appointing myself the caretaker of the Reichart genealogy. I will attempt to write it all down and include "footnotes" in that writing. The "footnotes" are to provide context and are often the most interesting parts to the story. Like in the Bible the "who begat who" part gets a bit tedious and boring. With the arrival of a great grandchild I had best get going. But, I'm tired. Maybe I'll start tomorrow.
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