i have been in a book club for the past 24 years and for the past 10 years we have had a summer family picnic at our house. we all pretend we are at a park and bring our paper plates, a cooler filled with a dish to pass, meat to grill and drinks. this year i was a little hesitant to host again yet i knew if i didn't i would not be able to attend if it was elsewhere due to leaving russ. things were looking ok until bob learned he would have to work sunday until 3pm. everyone arrives around 11am and bob and i usually spend sunday morning setting up tables, arranging the lawn chairs around our pool, putting out receptables for trash, recycleables, etc. needless to say i started to panic.
well, no need. both my boys were up by 8:30 am (a HUGE sacrifice for a 19 and 21 year old on a non work day). they had everything ready to go by 10:30. but their helping did not stop there. during the entire picnic (from 11-5) the boys sat inside with russ. they got him ready for lunch and kept him occupied the entire time. only once did mark come out with a panicked look and called me. i knew immediately what the look meant. lets just say, it would qualify for the post, "share your best poop story." mark stayed with me the whole time, reassuring grrr "you will be ok, nancy will have you feeling better in no time." it was so sweet.
after everyone had left, matt told bob and i he had won tickets at work to a lakefront festival in milwaukee. he offered to stay with russ so that bob and i could get out and enjoy ourselves. after discussion we took him up on his offer and had a great time. we arrived home around 11pm and russ was safely tucked into his bed sleeping soundly.
i can't tell you how proud i am of both my boys. all they did for me and russ yesterday they did without complaining. this may have only been 1 small day out of their lives but it meant so much to me. they will soon be leaving to go back to college in about 1 month. how i will miss them. not only for the huge help they have been this summer but for the wonderful young men they have become.
if you are reading this matt and mark, i want to publicly tell you how very much i love you both and how very proud i am of both of you. i know this isn't easy seeing your grrr deteriorate like he is but somewhere deep down he feels your love and concern for him and loves and appreciates it too!
6 comments:
What wonderful sons you have. This speaks volumes about you and Bob as parents too. You've done good.
That's so very cool. I just am so impressed with this new generation of young people. Sounds like a great book club to me, too.
Nancy, Give those boys a hug from me! Such caring and fabulous young men. You have every right to be proud!
I continue to feel a connection to you, Nancy. I am also an avid reader - at least when I can find the time. I haven't found any book clubs around here but yours sounds awesome.
Glad to hear you had a good day. You deserve it.
nancy, can you clone those two wonderful sons of your's and send them off to me? What a great thing they are doing for their grandfather. It is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives, and like you said, on a deeper level, russ appreciates it too.
thank you all for your kind words. i do feel so lucky and blessed and they are learning such a wonderful life lesson about compassion, responsibility, and love for family.
Thats really sweet Nancy, you have great kids! Thanks for taking the time to adopt me... :)
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