Brad
and I are trying to approach this Premature Empty Nesting with an open
mind. Last Spring I took golf lessons so
I could join him on the golf course. So
far, we have been hitting some of the local PAR 3 “easy” courses as I learn the
game. Our approaches are very different,
but it works for us. Brad is very
strategic with his range distant tools and relies on the perfect club, with the
perfect form. Me? I usually go like this…. driver, 7, 9,
chipper, putter. Distance is not a
factor. If I change it up, it's because
I get bored using the same ones over and over again. A Par 3 means you are supposed to hit the
ball into the hole in 3 hits, so I’m averaging 7 hits per hole and I'm ok with
that. Now, where’s the beer boy? Maybe that will help my game.
My
promising golf career was temporarily sidelined two weeks ago after
I did my usual awesome and powerful swing directly into the hard ground.
The golf club bent back, and so did my thumb. When I heard a
“crack” and felt instant pain, I knew I was in trouble. I whined for the
last three holes, and Brad did his best to distract me with his offers to stomp
on my foot to help take my mind off my thumb. Thanks honey!
Golf
is out for now, but the weather is still awesome so Brad and I had to
find something else to do while my golf injury heals.
We
live less than an hour away from the Shenandoah Valley, so when Brad came up
with the suggestion of heading out to the infamous Skyline Drive to see the
fall color, I was jumping in that passenger seat. The day showed great
promise until we discovered 5 miles of cars filled with folks also waiting to
get on Skyline. It quickly became apparent Brad was losing his patience,
and looking for other options.
What
to do? Oh genie in the phone, please help me! My
wonderful smart phone suggested we Drink Naked! I made the suggestion
to Brad, and he couldn’t turn the car around fast enough. A few moments
down a beautiful country windy road lined with beautiful yellow and reds, and
we turned into Naked Mountain Winery.
At
first, we noticed all the young people, young groups, couples, families, then
as neared the tasting bar, we noticed the couples like us. Couples
making memories now that the kiddos are out of the house. We probably
looked just as normal to them as they did to us, but I can tell you, we are not
liking this next chapter at all. In fact, I’d say we have regressed in
our grief of losing Josh, and now both girls are on their own.
We just suck it up, and try to make the best of it.
After
Drinking Naked, we walked back to the car hand and hand, and took the long
picturesque way home winding through the plantations, horse farms and majestic
color. The colors were magical. This journey has shown me that
life isn’t easy, and to make it through, you need to remain open minded and see
how life unfolds. You may have a plan, but it may be Plan B that takes
over.
As
if on cue, Stephi texted and wanted to know what we did all day. My
response? “We drank naked today”. My daughter knows humor is
how I cope, and I’m sure her eyes were rolling, but it made her smile, and
hearing from her made me smile too!
Blessed are those
who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
~Unknown
May you find beauty in
every challenge!
Hugs!
Sherri
