The Boys Are Back in Town

Guess who just got back today?
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven’t changed, have much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy
—Thin Lizzy: Jailbreak 1976

Yup. They’re baaaack!
A little bleary from exams, somewhat jaundiced from excess KD, and suffering serious Nintendo deprivation our young university warriors are home.

Within minutes of walking in the door our son summoned his good childhood pals for a night of video games and general goofing around.

Our home is once again alive with the deep voiced guffaws of these young men in their last year of teenage-hood.

What Happened To My Peace and Quiet?
It seems like moments ago it was hauntingly quiet, somewhat peaceful but a little unnerving. Now, the sound of video game nonsense and general joking around is reverberating throughout our open concept home (built with an ultimate empty nest in mind).

We don’t just have one child back home now, we inherited three or four more “sons” as his friends meander in. All of a sudden the food supply must be increased generously. All we had in the house to munch on were carrot sticks and rice crisps. Hence, our local pizza take out was once again graced with our orders to urgently feed hungry mouths on a Friday night.

I regained my motherly instincts by Sunday when I had stocked up on enough food to handle any un-anticipated and always hungry mouths that may walk through the door. If you have been reading my blog you know how I love to feed others. (see: Choosing to Lose Weight.)

The Opportunity in Change
This stage of life is such a great opportunity to practice acceptance. It is a good example of what life really is all about. It is a series of moments that change sometimes gradually, and other times suddenly without warning.

Change is inevitable in our lives. Those of us who embrace it and manage it are the ones who find different levels of joy in all corners of our lives.