Passages: We are no longer a "young family"
I have been thinking about this lately, particularly with our dog, Lucky, so sick and ready to die, that my family is no longer young and I have some mixed feelings about it. Lucky has been with us for most of our 3 children's childhood, and as he fades away it seems like their childhood is fading with him. No more building tunnels in the snow with him, swimming or catching frogs at the river, cuddling up to him in bed when they are scared, or having him watch out the door for them walking home from school. Lucky has helped them weather the trials and tribulations of their childhood, and he has been the best playmate! Our youngest child is in high school, and our oldest is well out of the home (in NYC!) and I don't think he will ever be moving back in with us. He likes his independence. We still have the high school years with our daughter, drivers ed, prom, etc., but no more ice cream socials, middle school angst (this is a plus!), and having to find sitters. And our other son...