Sweet Chaos

As many of my readers know, all 6 of them, that I don’t do very well with chaos in my life. Yet, by some demented scheme, I generally am surrounded by at least a small shot every day. As I’ve gotten older, it is more than likely at some causal effect facing me by my own hand. I remember the days that I had grace, now, I can’t walk from the chair to the kitchen without stumbling, tripping, and even the occasional fall. The last, at least, is very rare and usually avoided by my slowing down and walking with intent instead of watching everything around me with the result of me wondering why everything is getting taller and the ground is rising. Then, thud. That would be me making contact with mother earth. I often lay there watching the sky, trying to figure out shapes of clouds while I wait to see if anything is going to hurt. As I said, this is rare and mostly avoided by slowing down. Dad and I were laughing about the Tim Conway old man shuffle from the Carol Burnett days. We both feel we are real versions of it, albeit at different speeds due to the age factor. Back to my original thought, and this is what I mean by self-induced chaos, my mind goes places that have nothing to do with where I’m going or trying to get done, but chaotically interrupting my ability to get something done none the less. For the next week, it will be a sweet chaos of seventeen big and little people in my house. Holy geez, that is a lot, but I am welcoming it with open arms.

Five children, five spouses, and seven grandkids and one working up the courage to enter this world and leave the safe confines of Mother Kate! Finally, number four is having her first. This next year will prove to be a joyous one. I generally lay back and listen to the adult conversations, I watch for the trouble the younger ones will certainly try to get themselves into. Footballs and axe throwing. Fire pit with marshmallows, beer, and a bourbon to warm the belly. The magic of a fire dancing and getting lost in the dance while conversations go on around me. The swimming pool and hot tub splashing and fun for old and young alike. Rides in Turtle with Ethan and Ronan getting chances to drive on our lots by Dad’s. Shooting pool with the boys, maybe some darts, more bourbon and beer, football, basketball, or bobsledding. Who cares, it’s the boy’s room and as long as it is sports or the Dirty Dozen movie, all is good. A Santa train ride and a personal visit from Santa on Christmas Eve. Food for all, merriment all around, and limited drama too. Someone always acts out and feels embarrassed by it later. What would a real family be though if it didn’t have a little drama too. It is always followed by hugs and love making everything okay by the time they all head for home.

There are new jobs to hear about, opinions to contemplate with stimulating discussions. Grandkids finally warming up to PopPop and Grandma Jen since we are not in any of their day-to-day lives anymore. The good we see from us moving is quite satisfying and watching them all grow without the shadow is a blessing. Don’t get me wrong, we miss them all so much. But we have built a life about us here and time shared with someone that has less days than the rest of us. We think about our kids daily though and grandkids twice a day. They are always with us.

Chaos, chaos, chaos! The sweet week of chaos! I’m exhausted prepping for it and I’ll be doubly exhausted when it is over.

Things to look forward to…

• The arrival of each and every one of them
• Santa train ride on the Polar Express
• Games, games, games! Cribbage, pool, and darts.
• Swimming and hot tub
• Wide eyes with the opening of gifts and knowing that Santa visited here
• Sharing of some of the hard-to-get bourbons on hand
• Same for wine
• Watching a couple of folks get chewed up by the kids (at least I hope so)
• Lucy having Lillah to explore the backyard with
• The daily dinner meal
• Feeling love from my kids and the sadness of them leaving

We have been looking forward to this week with great anticipation. It always provides great memories and almost always no regrets. My one and only regret, will be on Christmas day. Sometimes, you have no control on certain things, only the outcome, to which I will be humbly trying my best to be on good behavior for. But then again, it is my house, why should I? Sometimes you have to create your own fun and add to the sweet chaos. I know that is cryptic and is meant to be and is for my own amusement.

Until then, bring on the kids!!