It’s 7 am on a Saturday. I’m up because I’ve been awake since 6:22 am. Which is late for me. No one else is up yet.
The new normal.
The house is quiet, it’s still a bit dark, snow falls softly outside my window.
It’s the three of us at home right now.
My boy will be leaving this morning to head back to his home in California. We were lucky he was able to visit with us for as long as he could, he spent alone time with my Mom, joined us for festivities with our extended families and met up with his closest friends. He left random drink glasses around the house, borrowed our car, used a number of towels, got a bad case of the flu (ugh-but Tamiflu is a miracle). He even got Mc’Donalds (delivery for him and two of his best childhood friends who hung out with him in the basement), and had a craving for a Tim Horton’s timbit on New Year’s Day (albeit sorely disappointed that they didn’t have any at the drive -thru).
Just like old times. Except not -it was unusual that all the boys were in town to meet up. When his closest buddy came over he gave me a huge hug-I hadn’t seen him in over a year. I’ve known him since the boys were 3 years old. Just like old times.
My son is excited to get back to his life in the new year. He’s got some new friends, work is changing in a good way. His relationship with his girlfriend is going strong. It’s been lovely seeing them establish a life together. Adulting.
So, seeing him fly away? The new normal.
My daughter is coming home later this afternoon. She spent the last few days of 2025 with her new boyfriend and his family. We had most of December with her, some wonderful “four of us” together time, laughs, hugs, their constant teasing of their parents. Binging TV series ( Emily in Paris for us girls , Stranger Things me and the kids – their Dad is not a fan) ..shopping ( just a little). Tonight, it will again be three in the house.
Until tomorrow, when she heads back to school.
Then there will be two. Like it was at the beginning of December. The new normal.
Normal is ok. We can elevate normal- it doesn’t have to be boring.
It’s what you make it. I’m looking forward to thriving in it.
At a time 
New Normal
It’s 7 am on a Saturday. I’m up because I’ve been awake since 6:22 am. Which is late for me. No one else is up yet.
The new normal.
The house is quiet, it’s still a bit dark, snow falls softly outside my window.
It’s the three of us at home right now.
My boy will be leaving this morning to head back to his home in California. We were lucky he was able to visit with us for as long as he could, he spent alone time with my Mom, joined us for festivities with our extended families and met up with his closest friends. He left random drink glasses around the house, borrowed our car, used a number of towels, got a bad case of the flu (ugh-but Tamiflu is a miracle). He even got Mc’Donalds (delivery for him and two of his best childhood friends who hung out with him in the basement), and had a craving for a Tim Horton’s timbit on New Year’s Day (albeit sorely disappointed that they didn’t have any at the drive -thru).
Just like old times. Except not -it was unusual that all the boys were in town to meet up. When his closest buddy came over he gave me a huge hug-I hadn’t seen him in over a year. I’ve known him since the boys were 3 years old. Just like old times.
My son is excited to get back to his life in the new year. He’s got some new friends, work is changing in a good way. His relationship with his girlfriend is going strong. It’s been lovely seeing them establish a life together. Adulting.
So, seeing him fly away? The new normal.
My daughter is coming home later this afternoon. She spent the last few days of 2025 with her new boyfriend and his family. We had most of December with her, some wonderful “four of us” together time, laughs, hugs, their constant teasing of their parents. Binging TV series ( Emily in Paris for us girls , Stranger Things me and the kids – their Dad is not a fan) ..shopping ( just a little). Tonight, it will again be three in the house.
Until tomorrow, when she heads back to school.
Then there will be two. Like it was at the beginning of December. The new normal.
Normal is ok. We can elevate normal- it doesn’t have to be boring.
It’s what you make it. I’m looking forward to thriving in it.
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