My oldest son celebrated his big birthday by going on an exotic vacation with his wife…and no children. While they snorkeled and dined on tropical fruit, my husband and I babysat their children, who ranged in age from toddler to teenager. My friends questioned my sanity when they heard that I’d volunteered for the job. We’d raised four kids into adulthood. How hard could it be to babysit for one week? I soon learned.
Memories often dim over time. We clearly remember the positive aspects of the years of yore. However, the negative points may soften a bit and become somewhat fuzzy and faded. Let’s be honest, if women vividly recalled the downside of pregnancy instead of focusing on the cute cuddly baby, the human race would become extinct.
It was a fun but exhausting week. I crawled into bed and took a long nap after they left. I’d conveniently forgotten the emotional and physical toll resulting from being on call 24/7 to satisfy the whims of a tyrannical toddler. There is a reason they call it “the terrible twos.” The littles arose with the sun and the big kids were night owls. The days were long, especially for an old granny. Motherhood is for the young and energetic.
We played in the waves, built sandcastles, and hunted for seashells at the beach. We went to the park and pushed the swings so high they could touch the sky. We swam at the community pool and soaked in the hot tub until our skin puckered like prunes. We walked around Old Town, ate hot handmade tortillas dripping with butter, and panned for gold. We visited the Aquarium and Sea World, where we viewed the watery world of the undersea creatures. We completed crafts and puzzles, played games, read a ton of books, and ate lots of junk food. We created memories.
The kids plan to return before the end of the summer for a reunion with their cousins. My house will be messy and chaotic, filled with the chatter of children and frenetic activity…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
