I have been aware that I have entered a rather sacred place, called old age. For my 80th birthday last September, I satisfied a need to express my gratitude to my family, including my sister and her family. Everyone came and I had such a wonderful experience, including the precious moments of expressing my gratitude for their contributions to my life.
Now, I am onto another need. One might say that my bucket list has two more items. Contrasting my experience with Sara and her family, I have had no opportunity to experience my sons and their families independently. We treasure our proximity to Sara and her family. It is a gift. In contrast, we experience Sean and Neal when there is a family gathering. Admittedly, there are times, we visit Neal and Sean, but it is usually rather hectic.
So I have now satisfied one of items on the bucket list. We just returned from Cancun where we shared a vacation with Sean, Jane, Joseph, and Eve. The Grand at the Palace is something to behold. The attentiveness to the environment was breathtaking. The beauty was natured daily. Cleanliness was beyond reproach. The service was humbling because we were served as though we were extraordinary.
But, the special scenario of the week was being alone with Sean and family. It was hard not taking pride in our son, Sean. We know how hard parents work to serve their children and their needs. For reasons so mysterious, the efforts are not rewarded for reasons often so unclear. Every parent deserves our experience. We surely are more than gratified by Sean’s success as a lawyer, a husband, and father. Our experience was precious.
And, now, I look forward to satisfying the last item on the bucket list, a few days with Neal, Brooke, Nora, and Kellen.
