Many
friends and co-workers have asked me about my retirement ever since I made the
announcement in October. Yes, surprised, confused, anxious, sad, excited,
and happy are all in my mixed bags of feelings. I said to myself, ‘I
think the time is mature now and I‘d better listen in my heart.’ And I shared
it with Ben, my forever-faithful husband. Of course, he was on my
side 100%. Our love for our children is unconditional, no string
attached. It’s just like the seeds we both planted
before. With the right environment and nutrients, we provided
them. They grow up wisely and healthily and start to plant the seeds
of their own. Without any doubt, the best gift we can ever give them
now is that ‘unconditional love’ to love their own children. – Our grandson.
We all know there are difficulties along the way. It’s just like a part of our life. What I am looking for at this stage of my life is truly capture ‘now’ and live ‘in the moment.’ The dynamic relationship between mother and daughter, and mother and son-in-law will only be temporary while the bonding will be forever strong. I listen in my heart, that we will be ok, and things will turn out to be the way we all trust ourselves in the end.
So,
every day, I would wash my worries away, just like the way I wash my grandson’s
cloth diapers. I soak them up and hang each one of them on the
clothesline my son-in-law built per my instruction. Both my daughter
and son-in-law are Californians, but I am not. They must know the
state law - Right to Dry - and the community regulations allow them to do
so. When I am done with the chores, I come in and stand
outside of the nursery room to listen to the baby’s breathing in his sleep, I
cherish the time when he is playing with me tossing the toys impulsively
without any control. He is just learning to explore the world by
grabbing and putting everything in his mouth. I am too in his territory,
but in different ways. I bask in his laughter and relish his
innocence. The sweet smell just fills my heart. When I
relay all my feelings to both my daughter and son-in-law after they are home
from work, together, we all let our happiness seep in.
I know the massive winter storm and frigid temperature in the east coast this week was a little inconvenient for you all. Shoveling the driveway or digging out your car can also be a wonderful form of exercise to raise your heart rate and burn extra calories. So, Shirley, Shawn, and Lydia, you all had today’s work out already. There is no need to walk three miles around the neighborhood anymore. And think of it, Lydia, you had an extra day off from the Government snow closure announcement and Shawn also had his day off as your personal chauffeur.
So,
Shousun, Lydia and folks, please capture ‘now’ and live ‘in the moment.’ Once
you are in, the threat of California earthquake will probably be an
inconvenience just like the east coast’s snowstorm.
p.s. Thanks Ben, my husband sent my sweet home pictures
after the snowstorm in Maryland. At the same time, I was under the
lemon tree in sunny southern California to save the environment – drying my
grandson’s cloth diapers.
No comments:
Post a Comment