Eighteen summers. This is a mantra we repeat often in our house, eighteen summers. That is the number of summers we have with our children before they are leaving for school, jobs, or life. I am lucky I have had all eighteen years. So many of my friends never had eighteen years with their children. Cancers and accidents left them with only a few years. I am fortunate. I have had all eighteen.
When the children were little I swore eighteen summers would last forever. It seemed like we had so much time to do it all. Now I only think it is far too short.
I shared earlier this week that a friend from back home lost her daughter in a senseless act of violence this week. I think of that often right now. Rochester like so many other places are being enveloped with violence on the streets. It is no longer in the shadows of the night but right in the middle of the afternoon with lots of people around. Every single day this seems to be happening. The saddest thing is that it is in so many areas. We live in a small “city” less than 10,000 people but by our state standards we are a city. The next city over is a bit smaller at 9,800 people. There are shootings there weekly now. It breaks my heart that it is so many young people under 25 that are dying.
Eighteen summers.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
Indeed, 18 summers seem are a gift that we only realize when we see others not having them with their children. As you said, they feel like forever and we tend to take this for granted. I am so sorry for your friend’s loss. It is the worst when parents have to bury their children. But even when we have those 18 summers we need to be more aware of the fact that they pass faster than we might think in the beginning.
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Indeed they go so fast. I swear I had forever and now it is almost over.
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I hear you, Marci! But we did enjoy the time and there are so many memories to fill books over books. My youngest one turned 18 last year and just successfully complete his apprenticeship. I am often thinking back to how we started with our daughter and how everything and everyone developed. It touches me but I am not sad that we are a step further, rather proud that we (parents and kids) made it that all the three are able to stand on their own feet and are handling their lives the way they want it on their own. Also, it gives us a complete new way of living independently too.
But back to your post, yes, what felt like forever back then, now feels like everything happened in the twinkle of an eye.
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Saturday Musings #8
On Saturday, June 26, 2021, What’s for Dinner Moms? wrote:
> koolaidmoms posted: ” Eighteen summers. This is a mantra we repeat often > in our house, eighteen summers. That is the number of summers we have with > our children before they are leaving for school, jobs, or life. I am lucky > I have had all eighteen years. So many of my frie” >
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So poignant for my 57th wedding anniversary — 28 married, 29 widowed.
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