" On Being Tested "

It has been one of those weeks that I feel as though I am being tested.
My patience has been tested.
My spontaneity has been tested.
My body has been tested.

My darling teenage daughter came home from North Carolina in such a foul mood. Oh she had a wonderful time while there with her big sister, but it just gave her a taste of what her life can be one day.

This is such a trying time for her or any teen for that matter. She doesn't have a job or her drivers license yet and while that time is less than a year away, I am sure it seems much longer to her. It's hard to see the big picture when you are fifteen.

It is especially hard on the parent that must take the brunt of the frustration. Holding my tongue and having my patience tested to it's fullest this week has been quite a challenge. Truthfully it's been downright hard.

She will be going to camp this Sunday for another week and then school starts on the 13th. I think that this will help. I pray that this will help. I feel for her. I remember what it was like for my oldest son and daughter when they too wanted to break away.

I am grateful that I have more patience now than I did back then.


My week was also turned a bit upside down as I had certain things that I wanted to accomplish but other things came up that were unavoidable. However, even if they were avoidable I would have done them anyway as it involved more bonding time with my grandson Jack.

First I have to say that my arthritis has been the worst that it has ever been this week and I don't know why. We have had a lot of heat and humidity along with several fronts. So I am guessing that is why. The pain has been horrible all week. It is very hard to stay positive when every step I take hurts so badly. 

Spending time with my grandchildren was worth all of the pain. I babysat on Tuesday for Jack, Sarah and her friend. I tried to take them outside but Jack was all over the place along with Sarah and her friend. I couldn't keep up. So I just moved them all inside. This was much easier for me and we actually did some constructive playing!

Today I went to clean a house that I do once a week. I knew that it was going to hurt so I took a pain pill before I went. I usually come home after cleaning exhausted and sore. I eat lunch take a power nap and then shower. 

As I was home eating my lunch today my Daughter-In-Law called in a bind. She was also cleaning a house and had Jack with her. Honestly I don't know how she does it. But than she is twenty years younger than I am! 

Jack was throwing a fit and she couldn't find anyone to watch him. Now you have probably figured out by now that the reason I don't babysit for him much is because of my physical limitations and his endless amounts of energy. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

I am so glad that I kept Katie's old dollhouse. Sarah played with it and now Jack. He isn't quite as meticulous as his big sister was!

I tried to sit as much as possible but with a two year old, that is next to impossible!

I watched over my beautiful grandson for three and a half hours after cleaning for three hours. Every joint in my body is aching. At one point this afternoon I was almost in tears, almost. 

This has been my week to be tested. And as I sit here typing this, well it hurts. A lot. But I can't help but feel that it is so worth it. Today was also the very first time that Jack fell asleep in my arms.

Spontaneous nap.......

 

This is so special to me. When Sarah was born, my arthritis was just beginning. I was able to do so much more with her. We bonded early.
So for this spontaneity, I am grateful.

Katie has spent the last two nights at her best friends house. I have talked to her on the phone and she told me that she loved me.

For this I am grateful.

My husband, Jake, will be home tomorrow for a whole week. A week alone together. A week alone together that we haven't had in thirteen years. 

For this I am grateful.

Life will test our patience, spontaneity, and our bodies.

For all of this, I am grateful.